Rajan Wilcox
The US military is one of the world's largest consumers of fossil fuels, with the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines collectively consuming vast quantities of fuel daily. In 2017, the US military purchased an average of 269,230 barrels of oil each day, resulting in significant environmental consequences, including the production of 25,000 kilotons of greenhouse gases annually. The military's fuel consumption has increased over time, with recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan contributing to higher fuel usage. Additionally, the military operates a vast array of vehicles, aircraft, and ships that rely heavily on fossil fuels for transportation and functional purposes. While efforts are being made to reduce fuel consumption and transition to renewable energy sources, the US military's massive fuel usage remains a critical area of focus in addressing environmental concerns.
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What You'll Learn
The US military's fuel consumption
The US military is the world's single-largest consumer of fuel. The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption. In 2007, the DoD used 4,600,000,000 US gallons of fuel, which equates to an average of 12,600,000 US gallons per day. If the DoD were a country, it would rank 34th in the world in average daily oil use.
The DoD's fuel consumption breaks down as follows: the Air Force consumes the most fuel at 52%, the Navy consumes 33%, the Army consumes 7%, and other DoD operations consume the remaining 1%. Jet fuel accounts for 71% of the entire military's petroleum consumption, with the Air Force using 10% of the nation's aviation fuel. The Navy is the largest diesel fuel user in the world.
The US military has recognised the need to reduce its fuel consumption and transition to renewable energy sources. The DoD plans to invest $9 billion to improve energy use in military operations. The Marine Corps has established the Expeditionary Energy Office, aiming to reduce the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025. The Air Force has also prioritised renewable energy strategies and plans to certify its entire fleet on coal-to-liquid synthetic fuel blends.
Despite these efforts, the US military remains one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters. From 2001 to 2017, the DoD emitted 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases, with war-related emissions generating over 400 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. The use of military weapons and equipment, particularly aircraft, contributes significantly to these emissions. For example, the B-2 stealth bomber emits more than 250 metric tons of greenhouse gas over a 6,000 nautical mile range.
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Fossil fuel usage
The Air Force is the largest user of fuel energy in the federal government, accounting for over half of the DoD's energy consumption in 2006. Jet fuel is a significant component, making up 71%-82% of the Air Force's fuel usage and over 50% of the DoD's total energy consumption. In 2006, the Air Force consumed around 2.6 billion gallons of jet fuel, equivalent to the amount used during WWII. The Navy is also a major consumer, being the world's largest diesel fuel user in 2005.
The US military's fossil fuel usage has substantial environmental consequences, with an average of 269,230 barrels of oil purchased daily in 2017, resulting in 25,000 kilotons of greenhouse gas emissions. This consumption is comparable to that of entire countries, ranking as the 47th largest consumer if treated as a single entity.
Recognizing the environmental impact and the need to reduce fossil fuel dependency, the US military has been taking steps towards renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. The Defense Department invested $9 billion towards improving energy use in military operations through 2017. Initiatives include the SolarStrong program, which installed 300MW of PV installations on 120,000 roofs of base housing. Additionally, the Expeditionary Energy Office was established by the Marine Corps to reduce the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025. The US Army has also prioritized renewable energy strategies, such as the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program, and the development of hybrid-electric vehicles. These efforts reflect a growing awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuel usage and a commitment to mitigating climate change.
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Environmental impact
The US military is the world's single largest consumer of oil, and as a result, it is one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters. In 2016, the Defense Department consumed about 86 million barrels of fuel for operational purposes. The US military emitted 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from 2001 to 2017, which is roughly equivalent to the emissions of 255 million passenger vehicles in a year. The US military's war machines burn fuel at such intense rates that fuel use is measured in gallons-per-mile, gallons-per-hour, and barrels-per-hour. For example, the B-2 stealth bomber, which holds more than 25,600 gallons of jet fuel, burns 4.28 gallons per mile.
The US military's vast infrastructure relies on a global network of trucks, cargo planes, and container ships to supply its operations. This extensive supply chain network contributes to the military's carbon footprint. The US military has over 750 overseas bases in about 80 countries, all of which require fossil fuels for operations and generate waste and pollution. The impact of the military's carbon emissions extends beyond the front lines into a sprawling network of carbon-intensive manufacturing supply chains.
The US military's operations have also had a detrimental impact on the economies and populations of the countries they intervene in. For example, the intervention in Iraq has led to the desertification of 90% of Iraqi territory, and the country now has to import more than 80% of its food. The US military's use of open-air burn pits to dispose of waste in Iraq has caused cancer in those exposed to the toxins. Additionally, the depleted uranium left over from the Gulf War continues to burden the environment.
The US military has taken some steps to reduce its environmental impact and transition to renewable energy sources. The Defense Department invested $9 billion to improve energy use in military operations through 2017, and the SolarStrong program installed 300MW of PV installations on 120,000 roofs of base housing. The Air Force is the leading purchaser of renewable energy within the Federal government and plans to certify its entire fleet on coal-to-liquid synthetic fuel blends. The US military also invested $210 million in three biofuel refineries in 2014. The Pentagon has acknowledged that rising temperatures due to climate change will significantly impact the world, but it has failed to analyze its contribution to this issue adequately.
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Energy efficiency initiatives
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, responsible for 93% of US government fuel consumption in 2007. The DoD uses 4.6 billion US gallons of fuel annually, which equates to 12.6 million US gallons of fuel per day.
The DoD's Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) is one initiative that improves the energy and water efficiency of existing Military Services' facilities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $120 million for the ECIP, allowing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and others to invest in energy efficiency.
The Marine Corps established the Expeditionary Energy Office to increase combat effectiveness by reducing the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025, using liquid fuel only for mobility. The Defense Department invested $9 billion to improve energy use in military operations through 2017. The SolarStrong program installed 300MW of PV installations on 120,000 roofs of base housing. Additionally, the Nellis Solar Power Plant, Fort Bliss, and China Lake all implemented PV systems, and Fort Drum converted a coal power plant to a biomass plant.
The US military invested $210 million in three biofuel refineries in 2014, and the US Army has prioritized renewable energy strategies in Iraq. The Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program converts waste into fuel, and the Net Zero program aims for 30 installations to achieve net-zero energy by 2030. The Base Camp Systems Integration Laboratory, opened in 2011, trains soldiers to use energy-efficient technologies.
The Air Force is the largest user of fuel energy in the federal government, consuming 10% of the nation's aviation fuel. To meet renewable energy goals, the Air Force plans to certify its entire fleet on coal-to-liquid synthetic fuel blends and fuel half of its domestic transportation with US-produced synthetic blends by 2016. Four Air Force bases rely entirely on renewable energy, and the Air Force is the leading purchaser of renewable energy within the Federal government.
The Pentagon plans to increase the percentage of electricity used by military facilities that comes from renewable energy sources from 9% to 25% by 2025.
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Cost implications
The US military's fuel consumption has significant cost implications, with the Department of Defense (DoD) being one of the largest consumers of energy worldwide. In 2007, the DoD was responsible for 93% of all US government fuel consumption, with the Air Force being the biggest spender on fuel within the DoD.
The financial cost of the DoD's fuel usage is substantial. In 2006, the DoD used almost 30,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, costing nearly $2.2 billion. The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) sold $13 billion worth of energy to the DoD in the same year, with over half going to the Air Force. The Air Force's fuel expenditure has continued to grow, reaching $4.9 billion in 2017.
The US military's fuel consumption has financial implications beyond the initial purchase of fuel. The military's reliance on fossil fuels contributes to massive environmental consequences, with the US military being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017, the US military's average daily oil purchase of 269,230 barrels resulted in the production of 25,000 kilotons of greenhouse gases.
To address these cost and environmental implications, the US military has been taking steps to improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel consumption. The DoD's Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) aims to enhance energy and water efficiency in military facilities, saving costs and energy usage. The US military is also investing in renewable energy strategies, such as the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program and the development of hybrid-electric vehicles. Additionally, the Marine Corps established the Expeditionary Energy Office, aiming to reduce the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025.
While these initiatives show a commitment to mitigating the cost and environmental implications of fuel consumption, the US military's complex logistics and operational requirements present significant challenges in reducing fossil fuel dependence.
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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 Department of Defense consumed 12,600,000 US gallons of fuel per day.
If the US military were a country, it would be the 34th largest consumer of oil in the world, just behind Iraq and just ahead of Sweden. In terms of total energy consumption, the US military's usage corresponds to 1% of the total energy consumption in the USA.
The US military has recognised fossil fuel dependency as a major concern and is taking steps to reduce its consumption. The US military is actively prototyping hybrid electric vehicles, which consume 20% less fuel. The Marine Corps has also established the Expeditionary Energy Office, which aims to reduce the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025.
