The military has long been reliant on traditional energy sources (namely, fossil fuels) to power their bases, as well as their vehicles, ships, and jets. According to an article in the New York Times, they are now aggressively pursuing renewable energy as a way to provide more safety for troops stationed in areas where fuel convoys have a high potential for being attacked. According to the article by Elisabeth Rosenthal, “With insurgents increasingly attacking the American fuel supply convoys that lumber across the Khyber Pass into Afghanistan, the military is pushing aggressively to develop, test and deploy renewable energy to decrease its need to transport fossil fuels.” In addition, the use of renewable energies would make it easier to provide power for bases in remote areas that may be difficult for supplies to reach. Some of the energy technologies already being tested include “portable solar panels that fold up into boxes; energy-conserving lights; solar tent shields that provide shade and electricity; solar chargers for computers and communications equipment.” To read the full New York Times article, click here.