At RIMPAC 2012, Navy ships used a 50 percent renewable fuel blend, the author writes. The renewable fuel standard matters

In the summer of 2012, Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific Ocean played host to the 23rd biannual Rim of the Pacific naval exercise. Last year’s RIMPAC was the world’s largest and most comprehensive maritime exercise, with more than 22 countries participating from across the Asia-Pacific region.

While RIMPAC 2012 was notable for its size and scope, it was also notable for something else — it was the first time the U.S. Navy operated ships and other platforms with a blend consisting of 50 percent renewable fuel.


Dubbed the Great Green Fleet demonstration, the Navy’s exercise proved that biofuels are a viable alternative to fossil fuels. In fact, the Navy even refueled a Royal Australian Navy helicopter that had been using conventional fuels with biofuel aboard the USS Nimitz. The helicopter performed perfectly after the refueling, and on July 19, the United States and Australia signed an agreement to work together to advance the use of biofuels.

For the Navy, developing alternatives to fossil fuels isn’t just about fighting climate change — though that’s an important side benefit. Biofuels will also play a much more practical role in the Navy’s fuel mix, boosting our energy security and supporting the U.S. economy.

The economic case for biofuels is especially compelling. From fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2012, the U.S. military reduced its annual oil consumption from 122 million barrels to 107.6 million barrels — a 12 percent decrease. Over that same time period, however, the military’s spending on fuel rose from $7.4 billion to $16.8 billion — a 130 percent increase.

These are unsustainable costs that eat up funds that could be put toward training, equipping and otherwise supporting our troops. It is clear that our national security and economic growth are tied to affordable, abundant energy sources. That is why calls to repeal the federal Renewable Fuel Standard are the wrong way to go. The RFS not only lowers the cost of fuel but also reduces the resources spent both protecting our trade routes and the costs to transport the fuel itself. It saves American consumers money.

In place since 2007, the RFS has spurred a growing renewable fuel industry in the United States and is providing a framework to drive investment and innovation in the next generation of oil alternatives. This flexible policy is giving long-term investors confidence that there will be a market for the fuels they are working to develop.

Increasing the renewable fuel market share in a sector monopolized by oil will also drive economic growth in nearly every state. Hawaii is working to lead the way in this regard. We rely on oil for 90 percent of our primary energy — from fueling our cars, trucks and aircraft to keeping the lights on in our homes, schools and businesses.

We pay billions of dollars per year to purchase oil, and 96 percent of that money leaves our state. For every dollar that leaves our islands, Hawaii’s economic activity is reduced by $2.75. As a result, our state has set one of the nation’s most ambitious goals for reducing fossil-fuel use: 70 percent by 2030. Meeting this goal is both a challenge and an opportunity, and Hawaiian companies are leading the way.

Clearly, there is a growing market for affordable, abundant and sustainable energy. Industry is working to meet the needs of this market, and in the process is creating jobs, technologies and industries in states across the country.

Now is not the time to eliminate policies that are helping these entrepreneurs grow to meet the energy needs of our military and our families. Instead, we should continue to support the RFS, boost the efforts of the military and increase federal investment in research, development and deployment of clean energy.

The United States is in a position to be the world’s clean energy leader. Diversifying our energy sources will create jobs, improve our national security and lay the foundation for a strong, sustainable economy in the future.

Mazie Hirono is the junior U.S. senator from Hawaii.