Sharon E. Burke, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs, underscored yesterday at the American Council on Renewable Energy's National Renewable Energy Policy Forum that the pursuit of clean energy sources is fundamentally intertwined with U.S. national security interests. Her remarks highlighted the profound impact of evolving U.S. and international energy dynamics on global stability and military operations. Burke cited the International Energy Agency's (IEA) November world energy outlook, which projects a staggering $37 trillion in new investment required for the global energy supply system by 2035. While mature economies enhance efficiency and reduce petroleum demand, developing nations, particularly China, India, and the Middle East, are expected to drive 60% of future oil demand growth. Despite this, the IEA estimates the U.S. could surpass Saudi Arabia as an oil producer by 2020 and Russia in natural gas production, potentially leading to North American energy self-sufficiency by 2035. However, Burke cautioned that this domestic optimism must not overshadow the reality of a highly volatile global energy market, where supply and demand trends will continue to shape U.S. prosperity. She posed critical questions regarding the implications of major oil producers like Saudi Arabia potentially becoming net importers and the ongoing threats to vital shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 20% of the global oil market. The Pentagon views climate change as a significant accelerant to instability, with effects like droughts, floods, and sea-level rise posing direct threats to national security, a sentiment echoed by former Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta. This perspective reinforces the enduring security rationale for clean energy and energy efficiency as a means to break free from foreign energy dependence. The Defense Department, recognized as the single largest consumer of fuel globally, spent approximately $20 billion on 4.3 billion gallons of petroleum last year. The strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, coupled with challenges from rising powers and anti-access/area-denial strategies, exacerbates the logistical complexities and vulnerabilities associated with long supply lines. Burke emphasized that maintaining energy security is paramount for the military's ability to conduct diverse missions, from cyber operations to humanitarian assistance. Operational realities further underscore this urgency. In Afghanistan, the monthly consumption of 45 million gallons of fuel exacted a heavy toll on equipment and personnel, with thousands of casualties linked to fuel movements. To enhance readiness and reduce these costs, the DoD is actively investing in a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Initiatives include optimizing power management and distribution for forward operating bases by implementing microgrids to address oversized and underloaded diesel generators. Research and development efforts are also targeting more efficient heating and cooling solutions for non-insulated structures, which are major power consumers. Energy storage is another key investment area, encompassing a spectrum of battery technologies from nano-batteries for sensing to lightweight power equipment for troops and large-scale grid storage. Solar energy is already deployed on the battlefield through flexible rechargers for individual soldiers and ruggedized systems for forward bases. Unmanned aerial systems powered by solar have demonstrated extended endurance, with one test aircraft remaining aloft for two weeks without refueling. Additionally, the department is exploring waste-to-energy solutions and fuel cells for mobile troops and unmanned platforms. These investments are driven by a strategic imperative to enhance operational flexibility, reduce logistical burdens, and mitigate the risks associated with a volatile global energy landscape, ultimately bolstering U.S. national security.