Defense Communities 360 Daily Army to Elevate Stature of Energy Task Force Next month the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) will become an enduring organization within the office of the assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment, a recognition of the critical role the group has assumed since it was established in September 2011. “We’re hitting our stride,” said Amanda Simpson, executive director of the EITF. “We’ve shown over the past three years, through the history of the EITF, that this is not just a viable undertaking, it’s important to the resilience and sustainability of the Army and, of course, the Army is important for the sustainability of this country,” Simpson told 360 in response to e-mailed questions. The renamed Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI) will continue to carry out the task force’s mission of implementing large-scale, renewable energy projects — 10 megawatts or greater — through private sector financing. Simpson will remain the head of the office. The task force was created to help the service meet the mandate to acquire 25 percent of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2025, a goal officials realized would require a move toward large-scale projects. Initially, the group focused on streamlining existing acquisition processes and reaching out to industry. Last year, the Army began making awards under its $7 billion, multiple-award, task order contract to acquire energy for its installations through solar, wind, geothermal and biomass technologies. “This organization has developed industry relationships that include serving utilities, developers, manufacturers, law firms, financiers and associations,” Simpson said. “The EITF has developed the processes and now the OEI will leverage and expand on the momentum and early successes to refine and execute the mission.”
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 15:55:19 +0000