Historic Move Towards Clean Energy
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Duke Energy to supply five military bases in North and South Carolina with carbon-free electricity. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s goal to power the federal government with 100% clean energy by 2030.
Solar Energy for Enhanced Resilience
Under this agreement, the DoD will exclusively purchase the output from two new solar facilities in South Carolina. Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, stated, “This is a significant step forward. By supporting the construction of new clean, renewable energy, we enhance our resilience and support the warfighter and DoD’s mission.”
Comprehensive Energy Solutions
Duke Energy will provide carbon-free electricity to U.S. Army Fort Liberty, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and Shaw Air Force Base. The contract, valued at $248 million, will deliver an estimated 4.8 million megawatt-hours of clean energy over 15 years, starting from September 2026.
Supporting Federal Clean Energy Goals
Andrew Mayock, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, emphasized, “DoD is leading by example on climate change. This agreement will spur new clean electricity production, create jobs, and enhance our national security.”
Julie Janson, EVP and CEO of Duke Energy Carolinas, highlighted the broader benefits: “Our collaboration with the DoD enables millions of customers across the Carolinas to share in the benefits of renewable energy.” This partnership is part of a larger strategy to build a more reliable, cleaner, and resilient energy grid.
Future Plans and Expansion
Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment, remarked, “Our partnerships with utility companies are essential for delivering energy resilience for the Army. These collaborations help us implement microgrids with carbon-free energy generation and storage on our installations.”
The DoD aims to continue seeking partnerships to achieve the CFE goals set by President Biden’s Executive Order 14057, advancing towards a robust, clean, and domestically based electricity supply chain by 2030. This initiative underscores the DoD’s commitment to sustainability and energy security.
Source：miragenews.com
