On the recordNovember 29, 2012
I spoke about this bill last night at length. I want to give a brief summary today of this amendment. This bipartisan amendment would remove provisions from the underlying bill that prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in a program with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy and private industry to develop advanced biofuels refineries. It is a 1-to-1 match. As the largest single consumer of fuel in the world, the DOD uses approximately 120 million barrels of oil each year, spending over $17 billion in fiscal year 2011. This dependency on a single source of energy leaves our military readiness at risk. When the price of oil goes up $1, it costs the Navy an additional $30 million. We are looking at an investment here of $170 million by the Department of the Navy. Last year alone, this additional fuel cost forced the Navy to pay an additional $500 million more because the price of fuel was $1 higher. Our senior military leaders recognize the importance of diversifying the fuel supply with advanced biofuels. The Navy Secretary Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations ADM Johnathon Greenert, and Marine Corps Commandant GEN James Amos wrote to the Armed Services Committee about this. I ask unanimous consent to have their letter printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (See exhibit 1.)
