America is too dependent on foreign energy. President Reagan called it America’s “addiction.” We spend a billion dollars a day on it – money that goes overseas to countries that are often hostile to the U.S. and our way of life. By transitioning to clean, renewable energy produced right here in Michigan, we can reduce our dependence on other nations and improve our energy security.
The Department of Defense understands this and has made the utilization of renewable energy and energy efficiency one of its strategic top priorities. Leveraging renewable energy and energy efficient technology will improve troop mobility and safety and help reduce the overhead at bases in the U.S. and across the globe – saving money and lives. According to military estimates, up to 10 percent of all American casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan occurred as a result of transporting fuel or protecting fuel lines.
For our military, energy policy is a matter of national security.
“As a native Michigander, I am proud to see Michigan emerging as a leader in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency. As someone who has served on the frontlines, I can tell you firsthand that our national security is directly linked to our energy consumption.”