12. Energy Security

The United States consumes more oil than the combined consumption of China, Russia, Japan and India. Our 300 million people use more oil than the combined consumption of 3 billion people in Asia.

Oil independence is especially important to the U.S. Department of Defense, the world’s largest buyer of petroleum fuel. From trucks to tanks to jets, it can cost over $500 to transport, defend, and secure a gallon of fuel.

The United States Marine Corp has demonstrated leadership in using biofuel, battery-electric, and fuel-cell electric vehicles. In California, U.S. Marine Corp Camp Pendleton, demonstrates leadership in using less oil. I spent two hours at Camp Pendleton with Gary Funk, Regional Fleet Manager for Marine Corps West. Camp Pendleton follows the Energy Policy Act objective that 75 percent of new commercial vehicles and mobile garrison equipment must be an alternate fuel, such as biofuel or electricity.

Camp Pendleton showed that the 75 percent shift to energy security could be done. At Camp Pendleton, there are over 320 electric vehicles. Over 200 are electric scooters. 120 are Chrysler GEM electric vehicles. These practical 25 mph vehicles demonstrate that even Marines do not need high-speed gas guzzlers for every task. The electric vehicles uses an 8 station charger that is solar powered. This combination of solar power and electric vehicles could be used in many remote places on the planet, even if precious fuel was unavailable.

This chapter shows how the United States, the military, cities, corporations, and individuals are taking steps to becoming energy secure.

Learn about a 10-step plan for energy security and about the future of transportation in John Addison’s new book - Save Gas, Save the Planet.

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