Nov 012010
 
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The U.S. military has explored using alternative energy:

  • The U.S. Navy tested a 49 foot gunboat that runs on algae-based fuel and diesel in October 2010.
  • According to an article in The Guardian, a gallon of gas costs $400 whereas a gallon of algae-diesel mix costs $424 per gallon.
  • The military switched to diesel fuel previously.
  • According to an article in The Oakland Press, the U.S. Army pays $16 to $17 per gallon.
  • In forward operating bases in Afghanistan, diesel costs $40 per gallon.
  • “A 1 percent improvement in fuel economy of military vehicles means the number of soldiers required to serve as escorts drops by more than 6,000, or the equivalent of one infantry brigade”.
  • The U.S. military uses between 400,000 barrels of oil a day during peacetime and 800,000 barrels a day during the height of the Iraq War.
  • The U.S. military is the largest single buyer of oil.
  • Every $10 increase in the price of oil costs the U.S. Air Force an additional $600 million each year.

To read additional information, click on US navy completes successful test on boat powered by algae, Military sees big role for hybrid, electric vehicles, or Surging price of oil forces US military to seek alternative energy sources.

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