{"id":64069,"date":"2022-12-08T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T10:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/12\/08\/amentum-ceo-energy-efficiency-is-key-to-defense-modernization\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T20:44:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T20:44:45","slug":"amentum-ceo-energy-efficiency-is-key-to-defense-modernization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/outlook\/2022\/12\/08\/amentum-ceo-energy-efficiency-is-key-to-defense-modernization\/","title":{"rendered":"Amentum CEO: Energy efficiency is key to defense modernization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s the perfect storm. U.S. ammunition supplies are being drained by the conflict in Ukraine while we maintain a show of force in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, our platforms are aging and racing to obsoletion. Climate change<\/a> is hastening the deterioration of systems, but it\u2019s also fostering a quick transition to newer, cleaner and more varied forms of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these factors lead us to an obvious conclusion: Energy efficiency needs to be part of the defense modernization equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the United States, in an unprecedented move in recent years, has put forward a very significant investment in our infrastructure to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not just significant \u2014 it\u2019s multifaceted. From startups to multinational mega corporations, we\u2019re looking at a rich, diverse assemblage of companies that society is now calling on to solve our energy-sustainability problems. It\u2019s the new gold rush, creating a whirlwind but much-needed excitement and interest in the government contracting market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our defense imperative \u2014 and opportunities<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Defense is one of the world\u2019s biggest institutional energy consumers; its annual expenditure<\/a> totals more than entire countries, like Sweden or Portugal. Because of our consumption, a key target of our adversaries is our energy grid. It\u2019s the most cyberattacked framework in America. The DoD\u2019s National Defense Strategy includes the largest microgrid effort in the country, building secure microgrids along a prioritized list of installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Richard Kidd<\/a>, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience, \u201cenergy is, in fact, a national security issue. \u2026 Climate change will be affecting the department in all that we do going forward. And, in fact, we\u2019re already experiencing the effects of climate change right now. We have it in three dimensions: operational demands on the force \u2026 second, it\u2019s affecting our installations and infrastructure, degrading our ability to conduct training \u2026 and then finally, in terms of effects on our personnel and equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In preparing for future conflicts, the DoD\u2019s reliance on fossil fuel supplies could jeopardize its ability to generate forces, project power and respond to crises. It\u2019s looking for ways to increase carbon-free power generation, switch to zero-emission non-tactical vehicles, incorporate resilient infrastructure and facilities, cut water use, research renewables and waste-to-energy technologies, and expand training and war games to adapt to and operate in climate change-altered environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\t