Cliff Stearns: “As we begin debate this week on a comprehensive energy package, I want to bring to the attention of my colleagues a…”

“As we begin debate this week on a comprehensive energy package, I want to bring to the attention of my colleagues a recently released report by the Defense Science Board entitled, ``More Capable Warfighting Through Reduced Fuel Burden.'' The bill we bring on the House floor will talk about lots of conservation measures, but we should also look to the Federal Government, which has a large use of energy. The bill we will be considering is an omnibus energy bill, H.R. 4, Securing America's Energy Future Act, and provides, among other things, incentives for the efficient use of energy and investments in new energy efficient technologies. The Federal Government is beholden under this legislation to take the lead in reducing energy consumption. If they are asking the American people to reduce energy consumption, obviously the Federal Government should do so, too, and to realign its focus on using energy efficient technologies. The report released by the Defense Science Board highlights the need for the Department of Defense to also realign its focus on using energy efficient technologies, too. This was quoted in the report: ``Military fuel consumption for aircraft, ships, ground vehicles and facilities makes the Department of Defense the single largest consumer of petroleum in America, perhaps in the world.''”