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SEEC Climate and National Security Task Force Urges Resilient National Defense Strategy in NDAA

May 26, 2023

Washington, D.C. – This week, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Climate and National Security Task Force, led by Co-Chairs Rep. Andy Kim and Rep. Katie Porter, sent a letter to the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY24 NDAA) supports a robust national defense strategy that prioritizes resilience and competitiveness to directly combat the global climate crisis.

“The climate crisis is one of the biggest non-state-actor threats to not only American citizens but the global community writ large,” wrote the Task Force Members. “Many of the priorities outlined in this letter were first introduced with bipartisan support because Democrats and Republicans understood the benefits they provided to our national security. They will help our military directly address this threat by remaining globally competitive through international coordination, enhanced resiliency of our military installations, and an expanded sustainable and secure energy portfolio.”

"We need to ensure our military bases and installations are secure and resilient as extreme weather continues to destabilize areas of the world where our servicemembers currently operate. In order to do that, we need a comprehensive approach that combines existing clean energy solutions with the innovative technologies currently in development,” said Congressman Kim. “Many of the proposals that are advocated for in this letter have bipartisan support and I hope that as we embark on this year’s NDAA, we focus on keeping our servicemembers safe and ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

“Climate action keeps Americans safe,” said Congresswoman Porter. “Worsening natural disasters threaten national security infrastructure and put our troops at risk. I’m proud to help lead efforts to implement and oversee climate resiliency programs that make the Department of Defense more sustainable and further its mission to protect us.”

Background

The Task Force sent a letter to Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee in support of provisions for a number of key Department of Defense resiliency and competitiveness programs. That letter can be found here.

The FY24 NDAA provisions championed by the Task Force would:

  • Request a report on what steps the Department is taking to implement the objectives outlined in each Service’s climate action plan, with annual updates on progress being made to meet their goals
  • Request a report on progress for providing military bases with access to funding to adopt best management practices for stormwater management
  • Provide robust funding for developing breakthrough technologies such as Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology Programs
  • Develop a concept of operations for using government-owned battery-operated vehicles as backup power to an installation
  • Require a percentage of medium- and heavy-duty non-tactical vehicles and equipment to be electric by 2035
  • Authorize funding for charging stations and other electric vehicle infrastructure on military installations
  • Request a report on the progress of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel pilot program secured in FY23
  • Request robust authorization for programs that advance overall installation and energy resilience:
    • Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
    • Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
    • Defense Community Infrastructure Program
    • Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund
    • Operational Energy Prototyping Fund
    • Army Office of Energy Initiatives
    • Air Force Office of Energy Assurance
    • Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program
  • Support operations that strengthen US competitiveness in the Indo-Pacific:
    • Department of Defense Environmental International Cooperation Program
    • Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) and Climate Resilience Assistance
    • Support and Expand Maritime Law Enforcement in the Compacts
    • Civic Action Program in Palau