The use of biofuels for the Navy's fleet may have met some obstacles, but officials believe they still have a way to cut energy consumption considerably by the end of the decade. The branch recently revealed its latest plans, which place an emphasis on efficiency, renewable energy and conservation, Reuters reports.
The push is part of a large-scale effort championed by the Obama administration to encourage the use of renewable energy. Additionally, the Navy wants to improve its energy security and cut energy consumption by half over the next eight years. Perhaps most important is that officials hope the policy changes coincide with shifts in the attitudes of personnel.
"I can't overemphasize how important the culture change piece is," Vice Admiral Phil Cullom told Reuters. "You're trying to change the attitudes and the views of hundreds of thousands of people so that what they do on board ship is what they do at home."
The biggest roadblock in the creation of the so-called Great Green Fleet has been Congress' unwillingness to continue the purchase of biofuels. Despite the environmental benefits they offer, biofuels are much more expensive. However, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus believes lawmakers will reverse course, Stars and Stripes reports.