Representative Crow Introduces Amendment to Reaffirm Department of Defense’s Commitment to Combating Climate Change
The Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government and one of the largest institutional consumers of oil in the world
Today, Representative Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced an amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, of which he is a cosponsor. Crow's amendment, which passed on the House floor by voice vote, reaffirms the Department of Defense's goal to secure renewable energy across military installations and operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support military readiness efforts in the face of climate change.
"I've seen firsthand what makes the U.S. military the greatest fighting force in the world. But I also know that our advantages will dwindle and we will be increasingly vulnerable unless we adapt to a changing security and climate environment," said Crow. "Rising sea levels, extreme weather, population displacement, and vulnerable energy sources are a result of our failure to take action on climate change and have a direct impact on military readiness. By formally acknowledging the Department of Defense's role in combating climate change, we ensure that we are taking an all of the above approach to fighting global warming."
Text of the amendment can be found here.
The Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government and one of the largest institutional consumers of oil in the world. In FY2017, U.S. armed forces consumed over 85 million barrels of fuel. The effects of climate change have proven to be costly and a risk to U.S. national security. In the case of Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, severe weather has led to $5 billion in repairs. Investment in energy saving technology has already proven to be beneficial. As a counterpoint, investments in renewable energy and microgrids at Fort Hood in Texas will save an estimated $100 million in energy costs and help harden potential vulnerabilities in the electrical grid.
Rep. Jason Crow is a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq as part of the 82nd Airborne and in Afghanistan as part of the 75th Ranger Regiment.