Mike Conaway: “I would also like to thank you specifically for your work addressing the wasteful pursuit by the…”

“I would also like to thank you specifically for your work addressing the wasteful pursuit by the Department--specifically the Navy--to stand up an alternative energy industry. These efforts go against the primary mission of the Department and are a colossal waste of taxpayer money, especially as we are scrubbing every penny inside the Pentagon. The Navy claims that its pursuit of a green fuel source that is produced in the United States would help protect it from price shocks and volatility within the oil markets. I have yet to hear an argument that supports how spending, on average, $26 a gallon for biofuels would protect our fuel budgets when we could be paying $3.60 a gallon. This argument simply doesn't add up. {time} 1350 Prices, Mr. Chairman, would have to rise eightfold for this equation to work. The Navy claims that development of biofuels will limit the number of deaths associated with fuel convoys in theater. Yet, this is a specious argument. Convoys will still be needed to haul biofuels across dangerous areas to supply our needs, just like conventional fuels. And if they're less efficient, more convoys would in all likelihood be needed. The Navy also claims that buying biofuels and sailing their Green Fleet will end up saving American taxpayer dollars and ultimately lead our military to energy independence.…”