Should the Air Force Consider Investments in Renewable Energy a Weapon System?

<p>The world is faced with an energy supply and demand challenge that greatly impacts the U.S. Air Force's ability to organize equip and train for today and tomorrow's war. For several decades the United States and its military became accustomed to relatively steady and cheap energy based upon petroleum. That model has been shattered during the past 5 years as a barrel of oil approached and passed an all time high of $112/barrel. The Air Force spent over $1.1 billion to operate its 166 installations in 2006. This paper looks at renewable energy sources such as solar wind and geothermal technology available today that could potentially reduce the cost of operating each base. These renewable sources of energy could also stabilize base operating costs so they don't fluctuate with each change of the world oil market.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>