For Immediate Release:
October 5, 2010

Contact: Maggie Kao (202) 675-2384

U.S. Military Takes a Stand Against Fossil Fuels
Navy and Marines Aim to be Powered by Renewables

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sierra Club applauds Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus for aiming to power the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with 50 percent renewable energy by 2020.

Statement of Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune

“The Sierra Club is proud to see the Navy and Marines demonstrating real leadership by moving forward with a new, groundbreaking clean energy goal.

This goal sends a powerful statement that clean energy is not just about protecting our health and the environment, but also our troops and our national security. Time and time again military leaders have warned us about the national security risks of our continued dependence on fossil fuels such as oil.

But the Navy and Marine Corps’ decision will also accelerate our nation’s transition to a clean energy economy, encouraging the creation of cleaner cars, cleaning up dirty power plants, and more – this decision shows that the U.S. is leading the world effort to protect public health and our planet.

The Sierra Club is proud of its long relationship with the military through our Military Families Outdoors program, which provides a variety of opportunities for military service members and their families to find respite and renewal through outdoor experiences.

We are additionally pleased by the Obama Administration’s plans today to install solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House Residence - further demonstrating how government, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring a clean energy future.”

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