Vets4Energy Advisor Testifies at EPA RFS Hearing
December 5, 2013
Crystal City, VA
Today, Rear Admiral Don Loren, USN (Ret.) spoke on behalf of Vets4Energy, a coalition of volunteer Veterans focused on sound energy policies, at an EPA Public hearing which sought input on EPA’s Proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Rule. “We believe that this proposed rule strengthens our national security by protecting our economy and promoting a common-sense path towards securing our energy future, because protection of our energy, economic and national security interests are inextricably linked,” said Admiral Loren.
Admiral Loren’s military experience provided the EPA with a unique viewpoint of the RFS and the impact the current standards have on the nation’s military readiness and the relationship between a strong economy and a safe and secure nation.
The EPA has issued a proposal to rollback RFS mandates which would have required a push to a 15 percent (or higher) ethanol blend for motor fuels. The EPA's proposal keeps ethanol blends at or below 10 percent. Opponents view the rollback as an impediment to a renewable fuels future.
Admiral Loren noted that Veterans support all forms of energy and that this proposal averts the dangers associated with higher levels of ethanol on our military readiness, our nation’s economy and those currently serving in our armed forces. Furthermore, with DoD’s worldwide transportation infrastructure, moving to higher blends of ethanol would require a major investment to modify the logistics and equipment to run on this fuel. There likely could be similar impact to our Homeland security infrastructure as well.
The proposed rule has also spawned some uncharacteristic hostile rhetoric among opponents who have likened the rollback to support of killing troops now serving overseas. Loren bristled at that contention and the over-the-top, overheated language that in his opinion, was inappropriate, offensive, and denigrated the men and women who serve or have served our nation in uniform. "This proposal should also not be viewed as one that puts soldiers in harm’s way," he said. "This is an affront to our military and our country which has actually been decreasing our dependence on oil imports from those who seek to harm us, not due to RFS, but other factors such as increased domestic oil and natural gas production, Canadian oil and increased fuel efficiency."
Viewed through the prism of national security, Admiral Loren argued that by having reliable home-grown energy sources as well as importing energy from trusted neighbors like Canada and Mexico, as well as investing in the development of other energy resources, the nation is more secure and free from entanglements that involve huge costs in national treasure and blood. Admiral Loren concluded "A sound and strategic approach to energy policy, will result in an economically strong America and allows us to maintain our global leadership and protect our interests here at home and around the world."
About Vets4Energy
Vets4Energy is a group of volunteer veterans who continue to serve America as advocates for energy policies to sustain our national security.
Representing all branches and ranks of the military, they partner with Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s) across the country to deliver the message that Energy Security equals National Security. These Veterans, who have dedicated their lives to protect our nation, remain a strong voice to policymakers to convey the importance of energy to our national security.
Don Loren Biography