Harvard Business School Alumnus Jeffrey M. Voth Calls for an Unconventional U.S. Military Energy Revolution in the Kennedy School Review
Article by the president of engineering and management consulting firm Herren Associates introduces a "fifth fuel" to the military
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy efficiency is an untapped resource and should be considered a vital "fifth fuel" in efforts to reduce consumption for U.S. operational forces. That's what Jeffrey M. Voth of the engineering and management consulting firm, Herren Associates, argues in the Kennedy School Review, Harvard University's public policy journal. "In Defense of Energy: Unlocking an Untapped Resource", Voth makes the case that military and civilian leadership need to rethink the energy policy framework required for the U.S. military, the single-largest energy consumer in the world.
Voth, the president of Herren Associates, sets the stage for his argument by describing the perfect storm: mounting government deficits, no relief to a demanding military operational tempo, and an increased focus on the Asia-Pacific region. According to Voth, one way U.S. forces can improve security, offset austerity measures, and preserve American global commitments is by taking control of its energy future and leading an "unconventional" revolution.
"Exempt from requirements outlined by Federal statutory laws and regulations, the energy consumed by America's operational forces has largely gone unchecked. The cost to power our nation's forces could be significantly reduced by 2035 simply by making concerted efforts to transform energy efficiency," says Voth.
The need to increase endurance range and demands for enhanced operational flexibility are among the trends influencing the shift in thinking about energy security. Drawing from new approaches and the increased availability of innovative technologies, Voth shows how new policies would support the need to balance regional security commitments in the Middle East while embracing a new defense strategy that calls for a strengthened American presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Expanding Federal initiatives to operational energy, which comprises more than 75% of the military's total consumption, would offset 195 trillion BTUs," Voth writes. "Enough total energy to power the entire city of Washington, DC."
Noting that improved energy efficiency will allow forces to quickly incorporate new mission capabilities while reducing overall fuel consumption, he concludes, "Expanding the domestic blueprint for a secure energy future to incorporate its globally-deployed force will unlock an untapped resource, aligning policy objectives and fully embracing energy as a strategic resource – firmly establishing America as a global energy leader in the decades ahead."
About Herren (www.herrenassociates.com)
Herren Associates is Washington, D.C.-based engineering and management consulting firm focused on maximizing the value of every taxpayer dollar. For twenty-five years, Herren has partnered with clients to drive operational improvements and manage performance – serving the federal government across a wide range of markets - including national security, energy and environment, health care, and critical information technology infrastructure.
About Jeffrey M. Voth (@jeffreymvoth)
Jeffrey M. Voth is the President of Herren Associates, where he leads the firm's operations. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, he was a 2012 Senior Executive Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a strong believer in the power of new solutions-based policies in the areas of energy and national security, authoring numerous technical and policy articles on energy security published in peer-reviewed journals.
Editor's Note: Jeffrey M. Voth is available for media interviews. Please contact Christine Stuckey 202.609.8441.
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SOURCE Jeffrey M. Voth
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