Kearsarge Displays Energy Initiative

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (AW) Tamara Vaughn, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, Norfolk, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) hosted the Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, aboard March 12 to discuss Navy and Marine Corps energy initiative programs.

The committee members toured exhibits showcasing new green technologies which will help the military conserve energy and improve consumption efficiency. Each exhibit provided a glimpse of environmentally friendly equipment that will enhance operational, tactical and fuel efficiency which is critical to the today's military.

"Energy is at the core of everything," said Senate staff member Charles F. Stanton. "With any company, even the Navy, we need to identify our weakness when it comes to energy. With events like this one we can see what new technologies are out there and implement them with today's military. It not only saves money but it is the right thing to do."

The members stopped at each booth, receiving demonstrations by technical experts on alternative fuels and information on programs that provide cleaner forms of energy to help make the military more self sufficient. With record oil prices and the ever-rising cost of energy, maintaining energy security is a priority in today's military.

"Our vessels are powered by fuel," said Rear Adm. Ann C. Phillips, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. "So anything we can do as the Navy to provide efficiency and flexibility on how - and what - we use to provide that energy, is going to provide us with battle capabilities in the future."

Phillips, who commands amphibious units on the East Coast, noted that energy efficiency is the first step toward finding oil alternatives.

"Being more energy efficient gives us the opportunity to look at other sources of energy other than fossil fuels, which is better for the environment; reduces green house gas; and provides a cleaner source of energy. The Navy's energy policy is the right way to go and to be able to host an event like this and showcase a ship like the Kearsarge, that has been enhanced with energy saving equipment, is the icing on the cake."

The demonstrations educated the committee on energy saving technologies, which will improve operational readiness, lower mission cost, and decrease dependency on foreign oil.