Blue Angels To Perform On Biofuel Blend At Labor Day Show

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus (pictured) delivered the keynote address at the National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 in Las Vegas Tuesday. The summit brought together leaders of industry, government, and those specializing in research and development to chart the course for the future of energy in America. Secretary Mabus told attendees that "changing the way the United States uses, produces, and acquires energy is one of the central policy challenges that confront us as a nation."

While there are many reasons why the Navy has prioritized energy independence and energy security, Mabus stressed the most important is because doing so addressees a vulnerability and allows the Navy and Marine Corps to be better war fighters. Mabus said President Obama has authorized the Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy to invest up to $510 million over the next three years. "The combined effort of these three departments is a powerful force that will decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, position American companies to be global leaders in the production of advanced drop-in biofuels, and create jobs for American farmers and American companies," said Mabus.

The Department of the Navy has made steady progress in testing and certifying its aircraft, ships and tactical vehicles with drop-in biofuels and alternative energy sources. At the Clean Energy Summit, Mabus announced the next highly visible milestone the Navy will reach will occur this weekend when all six of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team perform using a 50/50 blend of drop-in biofuel during the Pax River Labor Day Air Show. "This will be the first time an entire unit has flown on a biofuel mix," Mabus said.

Vice President Biden and Secretary Chu also delivered speeches to the veteran business executives, energy policy innovators, and senior public officials attending the Energy Summit. SECNAV delivered his speech a day after he announced that the Naval Postgraduate School would begin developing a dedicated energy graduate degree program in the fall.

FMI: www.navy.mil/secnav/index.asp