First of

three 30 MW military solar projects in Georgia,
the other two ag

Fort Gordon near Augusta and Fort Stewart near Savannah,
plus
a fourth one at Kings Bay Submarine Base.
The U.S. military has long recognized
fossil fuels are vulnerable supply chains that risk national security,
and U.S. DoD is doing something about it.

Brennan Reh, wrbl.com, 17 April 2105,

Ft. Benning solar power project groundbreaking

Fort Benning held a groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Army’s
renewable energy solar project. Georgia Power is building solar
panels that will cover 200 acres on the post.

The solar project on Fort Benning will be the army’s largest power
project in Georgia.

The panels will generate

30 megawatts of energy. Georgia Power
officials said that serves around 11,000 customers.

People in charge of the project said it will be helpful to have
renewable energy as an extra source power especially during natural
disasters. They said solar energy will help the army be ready
whenever they are needed.

Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army, said solar
energy will cut down on the army’s energy costs. She says they could
use some of the army’s energy budget for training soldiers.

Congressman Sanford Bishop said cutting energy costs helps taxpayers
in the end.

“A more efficient, effective operation is a win-win for everyone.
For our community, national security, and for our country,” said
Congressman Bishop.

And more construction jobs than either the Sabal Trail or Palmetto
pipelines will ever bring to Georgia.

The project is part of a commitment by the U.S. Army to the
President to secure one gigawatt of renewable energy and
sustainability at U.S. Army installations by 2025.

And
the Air Force has a goal of

“25% of Air Force facility energy use comes from renewable energy sources by 2025”.

Both goals need to be higher and faster, but they’re both good starts.

-jsq