Regan Brown
The US military is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels in the world, with the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines collectively spending over $8 billion on fuel in 2017. The US Department of Defense is responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption, using 4,600,000,000 US gallons of fuel annually, or approximately 12,600,000 US gallons of fuel per day. While there are no official estimates, it is believed that the US military consumes about 150,000 barrels of oil per day abroad, with the Navy being the largest diesel fuel user globally and the Air Force consuming the most fuel energy in the federal government.
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What You'll Learn
The US military's fossil fuel consumption
The US military is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world. In 2007, the Department of Defense (DoD) was responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption. The DoD's energy usage breaks down as follows: Air Force (52%), Navy (33%), Army (7%), and Other DoD (1%). This equates to an average of 12,600,000 US gallons (48,000,000 L) of fuel per day.
The US military's energy consumption has significant environmental implications, with a carbon footprint larger than any other institution on Earth. It emits more than entire industrialised nations like Portugal and Denmark, yet its emissions have been largely exempt from scrutiny and disclosure requirements. The US military's vast network of overseas bases, numbering over 750 in about 80 countries, contributes significantly to its carbon footprint, as they require fossil fuels for operations and generate waste and pollution.
The Air Force is the largest user of fuel energy in the federal government, consuming 10% of the nation's aviation fuel. The majority of this fuel (82%) is jet fuel, with the remaining used for facility management (16%) and ground vehicle/equipment (2%). To address these environmental concerns, the Air Force has prioritised renewable energy development and leadership. By 2016, the Air Force planned to fuel half of its domestic transportation with US-produced synthetic blends, including biofuels and jet fuels known as Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ).
The US military has also implemented various initiatives to improve energy use and reduce fossil fuel consumption. The Expeditionary Energy Office, established by the Marine Corps, aims to decrease the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025, using liquid fuel only for mobility. The DoD's Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) focuses on improving energy and water efficiency in military facilities, while the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided funding for renewable energy strategies in Iraq, such as the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program.
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Jet fuel usage
The United States Department of Defense is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption in 2007. The Department uses 4.6 billion US gallons of fuel annually, which amounts to an average of 12.6 million US gallons of fuel per day. The Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense, using 10% of the nation's aviation fuel.
The US military has recognized the benefits of renewable energy in improving force safety, budget stability, and mitigating climate change. The Defense Department has invested in several programs to deploy alternative energy sources and improve energy efficiency. In 2014, the military invested $210 million in three biofuel refineries, and the Army has prioritized renewable energy strategies in Iraq, including the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program.
The worldwide demand for jet fuel has been steadily increasing since 1980, with consumption more than tripling in 30 years. Fuel consumption has a significant impact on military operations, influencing range, endurance, and logistics. Technological advances have played a crucial role in reducing fuel consumption, with the integration of lighter materials and improved engine technology leading to more efficient fuel combustion and reduced drag.
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Energy conservation initiatives
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world. In 2007, it was responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption, using 4,600,000,000 US gallons (1.7 x 10^10 L) of fuel annually, or an average of 12,600,000 US gallons (48,000,000 L) per day. The DoD has recognised that renewable energy can improve force safety and budget stability, as well as mitigate climate change, which has been identified as the biggest concern for the US military.
To address these issues, the DoD has implemented several energy conservation initiatives:
Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP)
The ECIP aims to improve the energy and water efficiency of existing Military Services' facilities. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $120 million for the ECIP, allowing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and other military branches to invest in energy efficiency.
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Operational Energy Plans and Programs
Established in 2010, this office coordinates energy issues within the DoD. The DoD also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Department of Energy to facilitate cooperation and accelerate the development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
SolarStrong Program
The SolarStrong program involved installing 300MW of PV installations on 120,000 roofs of base housing throughout the US. This includes a 1.4MW PV array at Fort Bliss, a 15MW solar farm, and a separate 2MW PV system at the base hospital.
Net Zero Program
The US Army's Net Zero program aims to have 30 installations achieve net-zero energy, waste, and water by 2030. As part of this program, the Army opened the Base Camp Systems Integration Laboratory in 2011 to compare energy-efficient and traditional base camps and train soldiers on energy-efficient technologies.
Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program
This program, prioritised by the US Army in 2009, converts waste into fuel and employs other renewable energy technologies. The TGER program includes deployable, tactical biorefineries that turn garbage into ethanol, composite gas, and benign ash.
Microgrid Technology
The Army installed its first microgrid in 2013 at Fort Bliss, Texas, which includes a solar array, energy storage system, and interconnection to the larger energy grid. The military plans to incorporate microgrids into 100% of its bases by 2035.
Alternative Fuel Sources
The DoD is exploring alternative fuel sources for its vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cells and synthetic fuel blends. The Air Force is transitioning to synthetic blends of biofuels and jet fuels, known as Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ). The Navy has also deployed ships using hybrid-electric propulsion technology, a mix of biofuels, fuel cells, and nuclear power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
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Environmental impact
The US military is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world. The Department of Defense (DoD) alone uses 4,600,000,000 US gallons (1.7 x 10^10 L) of fuel annually, averaging 12,600,000 US gallons (48,000,000 L) of fuel per day. The Air Force is the largest user of fuel energy in the federal government, accounting for 52% of the DoD's fuel consumption, with 82% of that being jet fuel.
The US military's enormous fuel consumption has a significant environmental impact. The military's reliance on liquid fossil fuels contributes to climate change, making it one of the largest climate polluters in history. If the US military were a country, it would be the 47th largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG), emitting more CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) than most nations. The Air Force and Navy are the largest purchasers and emitters of GHGs, with the Air Force emitting more than 13,000 kt CO2e, nearly double that of the Navy's 7,800 kt CO2e.
The US military's global logistical supply chains also contribute to their carbon footprint. Their operations rely on a vast network of trucks, cargo planes, and container ships, which all require fuel. The US military's intervention in foreign countries has also had detrimental effects on the local environment and economies. For example, the use of open-air burn pits to dispose of waste during the 2003 invasion of Iraq has caused cancer in those exposed, and the country now suffers from desertification, forcing them to import most of their food.
The US military has recognized the need to transition to renewable energy sources and has implemented programs to improve energy efficiency and reduce liquid fossil fuel consumption. The Expeditionary Energy Office aims to reduce liquid fossil fuel dependence by 50% by 2025, and the Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) improves energy and water efficiency in military facilities. The SolarStrong program has installed 300 MW of PV installations on 120,000 roofs of base housing, and the Air Force plans to certify its fleet on coal-to-liquid synthetic fuel blends, including biofuels and jet fuels.
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Comparison to other countries
The United States Department of Defense is one of the largest single consumers of energy worldwide. In 2007, it was responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption. In 2006, the DoD used almost 30,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, costing almost $2.2 billion. If the DoD were a country, it would rank 58th in the world for electricity consumption, using slightly less than Denmark and slightly more than Syria. In terms of daily oil use, the DoD would rank 34th in the world, just behind Iraq and just ahead of Sweden.
In 2017, the US military purchased an average of 269,230 barrels of oil each day, producing 25,000 kilotons of greenhouse gases. This amount of oil is equivalent to the amount used by 2300 homes or 4600 vehicles in a year. The US military's fossil fuel consumption is so high that if it were a country, it would be the 47th largest consumer in the world.
While the US military's energy consumption is significant, other countries also have high energy usage. For example, China's military has been rapidly increasing its energy consumption, particularly in the aviation sector. In addition, countries such as Russia and India have large militaries with significant energy requirements.
Some countries are taking steps to reduce their military's energy consumption and environmental impact. For instance, the European Union has implemented initiatives to increase the energy efficiency of its military operations. The United Kingdom has also prioritized the use of renewable energy sources for its military, with a particular focus on reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Overall, while the US military's energy consumption is considerable, other countries also contribute significantly to military energy usage worldwide. As concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability grow, there is an increasing focus on reducing the military's environmental impact and transitioning to more renewable and sustainable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
The US military is one of the largest consumers of fuel in the world. In 2017, the US military purchased an average of 269,230 barrels of oil each day. In 2007, the US military consumed 12,600,000 US gallons of fuel per day.
If the US military were a country, it would rank 34th in the world in average daily oil use, just behind Iraq and just ahead of Sweden.
The US military is the biggest consumer of fuel when compared to private corporations. Nigeria, with a population of 140 million, consumes as much energy as the US military.
The Air Force consumes the most fuel, responsible for 52% of the US military's fuel consumption in 2007.
Oil accounts for the majority of the US military's fuel consumption, followed by electricity and natural gas. Jet fuel accounts for more than 50% of total energy consumption.
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