DoD’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is implementing a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. These initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower long-term costs, and enhance mission effectiveness by decreasing dependence on liquid fossil fuels. Key goals include achieving 'net-zero' energy for numerous installations by 2020 and 2030, increasing the use of alternative fuel blends for aviation and naval vessels, and deploying diverse renewable technologies—such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass—at domestic and overseas bases. The DoD's efforts are guided by internal strategies, a 2010 Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Energy, and federal mandates including Executive Orders 13423 and 13514.

• The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) views energy efficiency as a 'force multiplier' that can increase the range and endurance of field forces and reduce the number of combat troops needed to protect energy supply lines.
• The Army has established a target for five installations to reach 'net-zero' energy by 2020, with a further 25 installations aiming for the same goal by 2030.
• The Department of the Navy (DoN) aims for 50 percent of its total energy consumption to come from alternative sources by 2020, and for 50 percent of its installations to be net-zero by the same year.
• The Air Force intends to source 50 percent of its domestic aviation fuel from alternative fuel blends by 2016 and is testing 'Hydrotreated Renewable Jet' (HRJ) fuels.
• The Marine Corps aims to reduce its need for liquid fossil fuel by 50 percent by 2025, restricting the use of liquid fuel exclusively to mobility systems.
• The DoD is subject to federal mandates, including the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010, which requires that 25 percent of total facility energy use be produced or procured from renewable sources starting in 2025.
• The DoD has implemented diverse renewable energy projects at specific sites, including the second largest photovoltaic project in the world at Nellis Air Force Base, which provides 25 percent of the base's electricity via a 14.2 MW system.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2011). DoD’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives. https://www.eesi.org/files/dod_eere_factsheet_072711.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. DoD’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives. 2011. https://www.eesi.org/files/dod_eere_factsheet_072711.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=DoD’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives |date=July 2011 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/dod_eere_factsheet_072711.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2011dods, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{DoD’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2011}, month = jul, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/dod_eere_factsheet_072711.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }