AIR FORCE FLIES WITH NEW ENERGY

Off we go, into the wild green yonder...

Air Force leads in renewables
Kristyn Ecochard, March 12, 2007 (UPI)
WHO
The U.S. Air Force energy security strategy……the U.S. Air Force has formed partnerships [and invested $600 million over the past 10 years] with companies in energy-savings performance contracts…partners include GE, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Rolls-Royce…General Motors Corp. is also heavily involved…in developing alternative fuels and vehicles…

WHAT
promoting a culture of conservation, among its members and outside as well, through its large investments in energy efficiency… embodied in the synthetic fuels initiative…[and] focus on renewables……Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology…Blended Wing Bodies and new aerodynamic shapes to aircrafts… less drag and more lift…Lighter aircrafts… Ground transportation efficiency is also being looked at…hydrogen fuel, ethanol and flex fuel vehicles…[and] low-speed vehicles…

WHEN
Currently several projects are working to bring energy efficiency to the next generation of jet engines… There is $10 million in the 2008 budget……a January executive order…mandates…reducing energy intensity by 30 percent and reducing the transportation fleet's total consumption of petroleum products by 2 percent annually by the end of 2015…

WHERE
U.S. Air Force Logistics, Installations and Mission Support…

WHY
The goal is to get more energy per unit of use…

QUOTES
Brig. Gen. Paul Selva, director of the Air Force Strategic Planning [said,] "When we move to alternatives, it's not just about efficiency but it's about better combat capability."