Recently, I read a comment on a military blog that said something like: Thank heavens, the U.S. Navy is taking on energy reform because the rest of the country will follow. In this issue of CHIPS, you will see just how the Department of the Navy is leading the pack by pursuing sustainable, renewable energy technology, environmental stewardship and reduced energy consumption through aggressive policies and goals.
Energy strategists, such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, the Honorable Jackalyne Pfannenstiel; Director, Task Force Energy Rear Adm. Philip Hart Cullom; and Director, Task Force Climate Change Rear Adm. David W. Titley share their knowledge and vision to ensure naval readiness and energy security. As you know, energy independence is a matter of national security and a strategic imperative.
You will be amazed at the many innovative approaches the department is using to facilitate energy reform that are already showing tangible results, such as telework, telepresence, research in biofuels and geothermal energy, green information technology, acquisition excellence, recycling, and many more initiatives that will lead to a significant reduction in the DON’s carbon footprint and reliance on foreign fossil fuels.
A survey of communication methods for humanitarian assistance/disaster relief between military organizations, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations and international groups is another focus area in this issue with a close look at the collaboration in Haiti between many disparate organizations in response to the horrific earthquake which struck Haiti in January.
Finally, we take a look at process improvement models and organizational changes at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic in an interview with its senior civilian official and Technical Director Christopher A. Miller.
I'm interested in how you become energy reform leaders in your organization, as Rear Adm. Cullom said, it's the leadership at an individual command and each member of the workforce that are at the heart of change.
It really requires a cultural change in how we think about and use energy. "We need to treat energy with the same consideration as other critical resources in the department," said Assistant Secretary Pfannenstiel.
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