Is it just me, or is it getting warm in here?

One of the most underreported stories of the past few years is that the Pentagon is America’s biggest polluter. In fact, the Department of Defense (DoD) pumps out more than 750,000 tons of hazardous waste every year—more than the top three chemical companies combined. According to Planet Green, “pesticides, defoliants like Agent Orange, solvents, petroleum, lead, mercury, and depleted uranium are among the many deadly substances used by the military.” How are they getting away with this?

After failing to sign the Kyoto Accords (not the worst decision the US government has made), the US Congress passed an explicit provision guaranteeing the US military exemption from any energy reduction or measurement. This means that, unsurprisingly, the DoD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are in bed together. Up until a few weeks ago, any military waste was measured in a far more lenient manner than any company in the private sector. That is still the case, but now the EPA and DoD claim that they are trying to implement newer, greener technologies.

On February 8th, the two governmental agencies “signed an agreement that formalizes the partnership between EPA and DoD to develop and implement technologies that will help create sustainable American military bases all over the world.”

The press release continues,

Under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)… The cutting-edge research of EPA scientists and engineers will be used to develop tools and technologies that will aid DoD in achieving its vision of sustainability… This MOU underscores… reducing overlap and fostering collaboration among federal agencies… provides an opportunity for EPA to use DoD’s military bases as test beds for tools, models and technologies that can then be shared more broadly in communities across the country. Creating more sustainable military bases helps create healthier communities and a stronger economy. Reaching goals of sustainability in any community requires a holistic approach that addresses energy and water use while at the same time reducing waste. Instituting this sustainable approach will effectively manage costs and also shift the focus from how to clean up hazardous areas to how to prevent future environmental problems.

So what does this all mean? Nothing, essentially.

After breaking into the MOU, I found that the contract was wholly unbinding. Quotes include,

Subject to mutual consent and availability of funding, EPA and DoD intend to carry out joint activities to advance the development and/or demonstration of new applications and technologies that can be used to achieve mutual sustainability goals.

—

Nothing in this MOU, in and of itself, obligates the DoD or EPA to expend appropriations or to enter into any contract, assistance agreement, interagency agreement, or other financial agreement or obligation.

—

This MOU does not create any legally enforceable right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by law or equity against the DoD or EPA, their officers or employees, or any other person.

So, essentially what this document does is show the EPA and DoD are holding hands, and making unenforceable promises to reduce the Pentagon’s effect on the planet.

This may, however, not be such a terrible thing. Green technology is notably expensive to research and effectuate; that means a potential excuse to expand the defense budget.

Instead of making empty promises and increasing governmental cronyism, the Department of Defense should consider downsizing its wasteful policies and programs. Defense is important, but so is the environment, and there are few who disagree that the DoD overspends and is overbloated. Damages to the environment are just one more negative externality to the DoD’s size and special privileges within the US government.