U.S. Military Tries to Trim Energy Costs

The U.S. military is speeding up its efforts to save energy and develop new sources of power. During the last budget year, the Pentagon's fuel bill hit $7.4 billion, a jump of more than $2.7 billion from fiscal 2004. All military bases and facilities have been ordered to cut energy use by 2% per year and pursue alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind. The Air Force, which burns more fuel than the rest of the military combined, is speeding up programs to fit more fuel-efficient engines on older aircraft such as the B-52 bomber and C-5 transport.