Save Our Troops with Alternate Fuel: An Excerpt

From the desk of the ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS

In your oil dependence memo, you asked for press clippings about individuals whose leadership on energy issues could be highlighted. I thought you might be interested in the attached article concerning General Richard Zilmer (USMC).

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General Richard Zilmer, a combat veteran with a chest full of medals, once served as commander of coalition forces in western Iraq. It's there that Zilmer first began pushing the Pentagon for renewable energy systems to replace oil.

The reason was simple: too many of his troops were dying in fuel convoys.

In July 2006, Zilmer made a "Priority 1 request" for wind and solar-power generators. He wrote that the need to supply coalition bases with petroleum created a "constant threat," causing "preventable...serious and grave casualties."

Convoys were needed to supply frontline troops with food, fuel and ammunition. But he singled out petroleum shipments in particular-a "preponderance" of the convoys-for placing "Marines, soldiers and sailors in harm's way."

In the dry words of a Pentagon memo, he wrote that "continued casualty accumulation exhibits potential to jeopardize mission success."

Fuel supply has been a factor in combat for more than a century. Winston Churchill converted the British Navy from coal to oil before World War I, improving the speed of the fleet but raising concerns about the security of Britain's fuel supply. Allied forces in World War II delayed their march through Europe due to shortages of oil.

But the problem faced by General Zilmer in the summer of 2006 was especially acute. He needed fuel for vehicles and diesel generators. Yet shipping that fuel to the front lines created extraordinary hazards.

Western Iraq was in the throes of a major insurgency, with Al Qaeda rising in popularity.

U.S. troops faced constant attack from improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. "Current solutions-such as providing additional security to our logistics convoys and conducting convoy operations during the hours of darkness-are inadequate," wrote Zilmer.

Against this backdrop, General Zilmer reached out for a new kind of solution. Iraq's abundant sunshine made it a perfect location for solar power. Wind turbines had potential too.

Why should his troops die to bring diesel fuel to the front lines, when they could generate power from the sun and wind?

Furthermore, Zilmer noted, renewable energy would be cheaper than petroleum. He noted that the "real cost" getting diesel fuel to front lines is often four times greater than the regular purchase price. More than half the fuel used in combat operations is consumed by support troops, not on the front lines.

In recent years, the U.S. military has spent as much as $8 billion per year on fuel. Any system that can help cut these costs is potentially of interest.

Solar power is being used at the Coronado Naval Air Base in San Diego, CA. Wind power is being used at Warren Air Force base in Wyoming. Even geothermal power is being used at several bases.

Today, the Pentagon is starting to respond to Zilmer's request. Solar-powered battlefield generators are under development. A high-powered task force is looking at ways to cut fuel use in combat situations.

The results could make a big difference to our troops in battle. "By reducing the need for...petroleum at our outlying bases," says Zilmer, "we can decrease the frequency of logistics convoys on the road, thereby reducing the danger to our Marines, sailors and soldiers."

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The above is an excerpt from Freedom from Oil by David Sandalow. It is a potential response to the Memo from the President.

For more information about David Sandalow andhis book Freedom from Oil, please visitwww.freedomfromoilbook.com.