Navy "Partnering for A Greener Future" on Earth Day

By Chris Dettmar, Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Readiness Division

April 9, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The United States Navy is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day April 22 with Navy and Marine Corps commands worldwide participating in activities on and around that date to galvanize environmental stewardship.

The Navy's theme for Earth Day 2010, "Partnering for a Greener Future," emphasizes the Navy's partnerships with other military services, federal and state agencies, non-government organizations, industry, and civilians. The Navy relies on partnerships to achieve the shared goals of protecting the environment and providing energy security for the nation and its allies. Examples of these efforts are as follows:

- Since summer 2009, the Navy has participated in the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The task force's purpose is to develop national policy and a framework that enables sustainable use of oceans, lakes, and coastal areas in a manner that supports the nation's environmental, economic, recreational, and security priorities.

- The Navy is working with the shipbuilding industry to integrate a broad spectrum of energy efficiency initiatives on ships, such as stern flaps and propeller coatings that reduce petroleum consumption per mile.

- The Navy has completed environmental planning, permitting and consultations for eight training, testing, and operating areas at sea, with six more to be completed this year. These efforts mark the beginning of a continuous cycle of environmental planning work and annual renewals with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

- In 2009, the Navy commissioned the USS Makin Island, the world's first hybrid fuel warship. Built by Northrop Grumman, the ship will conserve fuel and enable the Navy to save hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel costs over the life of ship.

- The Navy continues to collaborate with academic institutions and government agencies to fund research that will increase scientific knowledge about marine mammals and minimize the potential for Navy activities to affect marine life.

On Earth Day 2010, the Navy will demonstrate an F/A-18 Super Hornet, called the Green Hornet, powered by a 50/50 biofuel blend. The fuel, made from the Camelina sativa plant, is produced by Sustainable Oils of Bozeman, Montana. The flight demonstration will take place at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The Navy is also participating in research and development to identify other biofuel sources with the goal of reducing dependence on foreign energy sources and using fuel with a lower net carbon footprint than petroleum fuels.

More than 50 installations are celebrating Earth Day 2010, with community events such as shoreline and neighborhood cleanups, tree plantings, recycling challenges, fun runs, wildlife rescues, and more.