eNeRgy ANd SUStAiNABility
photos courtesy u.s. Army corps of engineers
communities
By Lt. CoL. WiLLiam RitteR, aRmy ReseRve CommuniCations
energy and sustainability take a front seat wASHinGtOn
the green roof at the Middletown Armed Forces reserve center in Middletown, conn., is the first of its kind in the Army. comprised of living vegetation planted over a waterproof membrane, the 10,000 square foot roof mitigates rainwater runoff and provides a solar-heated hot water system. the Middletown AFrc has been hailed as a “key to sustainability” for its environmental benefits.
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warriOr–CiTiZeN
– As gas prices reach record highs, many Americans are once again thinking about energy independence and energy efficiency. As America’s single biggest energy consumer, the u.s. military has been thinking about—and working on—these issues for nearly a decade. At a recent national event on alternative energy in the military, Army reserve chief executive officer tad davis iV said he is encouraged by the attention the military is giving to energy and sustainability. “it’s impressive to me—looking back over the years—that we now have generals and Army senior leaders thinking about energy and sustainability. it’s catching on.” it’s catching on in the White house too. in its fiscal 2013 budget, the obama administration proposed increased spending on alternative energy projects in the department of defense. the funds represent a long-term investment for the military, ultimately reducing energy expenditures and
improving operational capability by making energy more secure and reliable at home and abroad. the Army reserve is uniquely positioned to take the lead on this work. davis noted that the Army reserve is “the primary combat service support provider for the Army,” which means that reserve soldiers enable combat forces to do more with fewer resources; providing engineering, medical, transportation, maintenance, civil affairs support and other key capabilities in a cost-effective and efficient manner. At a time when both fiscal and environmental resources are strained, this ability is more critical than ever. the Army reserve supports many local communities as well. unlike the active component housed on major installations, the Army reserve’s primary presence is at reserve centers, maintenance sites and training installations in hundreds of communities throughout the u.s. and its territories (puerto rico, Guam, American samoa). “We’re trying to partner with our local communities to see what we can do better,” davis said. this means