Energy equals security, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- A combat force embracing efficient energy practices will ultimately be better and more effective warfighters, a top U.S. general told troops in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Defense Department in its Operational Energy Strategy said that to sustain dominance in the 21st century, warfighters must use resources, including energy, efficiently.

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus in a memorandum to civilians and troops deployed in Afghanistan said energy efficiency is tied to the projection of power.

"By reducing demand for fuel, we will improve operational capability, reduce risk to our forces and, ultimately, strengthen our security," he wrote.

Petraeus notes that nearly 80 percent of all ground movement by troops in Afghanistan is tied in some way to delivering fuel.

"Commanders and their personnel should understand that routine energy consumption can either enable or limit combat capabilities," he added.

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn told reporters that his department consumes 80 percent of the fuel used by the U.S. government, which translated in 2010 to $15 billion.

The Defense Department, he said, is spending 225 percent more for gasoline that it did a decade ago.

"By reducing demand, expanding and securing supply, and integrating energy security into our future force, we will not only increase our military effectiveness, but we will lower our costs," he said. "We will also better align the department with our national goal of energy efficiency, and ultimately, energy interdependent -- independence."