National Economy & Defense
Solar is not just clean energy;
it’s our Nation's Security
Our nation’s dependence on foreign oil means that we will continue to send billions of dollars of Americas hard-earned wealth to other countries every month – including countries in dangerous and unstable regions. Our continued dependence on fossil fuels will jeopardize our nation’s security.
The U.S. consumes 25 percent of the world’s oil production, yet controls less than 3 percent of an increasingly tight supply. Oil is traded on a world market, and the lack of excess global production makes that market volatile and vulnerable to manipulation by those who control the largest shares. Reliance on fossil fuels, and the impact it has on other economic instruments, affects our national security, largely because nations with strong economies tend to have the upper hand in foreign policy and global leadership. As economic cycles ebb and flow, the volatile cycle of fuel prices will become sharper and shorter, and without immediate action to address our nation’s long-term energy profile, the national security risks associated with the nation’s and the military’s current energy posture will worsen.
Our dependence on foreign oil reduces our international leverage, places our troops in dangerous global regions, funds nations and individuals who wish us harm, and weakens our economy; our dependency and inefficient use of oil puts our nation and our troops at risk.
Our current domestic electrical system is a significant risk to our national security: many of our large military installations rely on power from a fragile electrical grid that is vulnerable to malicious attacks or interruptions caused by natural disasters. U.S. dependence on fossil fuels undermines economic stability, which is critical to national security.
Our nation’s energy choices have saved lives; they have also cost lives. As we consider America’s current energy posture, we as American’s need to gauge our energy choices solely by their impact on our national security and stabilizing our economic system.
Climate change, national security, and energy dependence are a related set of global challenges which Solar Nation recognizes and takes an active role in supporting. Solar Nation participates in government relations, lobbing, and focus groups that share in our vision and mission to support our countries constitution, policies, and initiatives.