Retired officers warn US ‘falling behind’ on advanced energy

A group of 15 retired generals and admirals is warning that the United States must be a leader on energy innovations, saying failure in the field could cause “considerable risk” to national security.

“As new energy options emerge to meet global demand, nations that lead stand to gain; should the U.S. sit on the sidelines, it does so at considerable risk to our national security,” CNA’s Military Advisory Board wrote in a report released Tuesday.

The report has been in the works since 2015, but its release comes after President Trump decided last week to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, which others have warned hinders U.S. leadership and national security.

In an interview with The Hill, three of the report’s authors resisted comparisons of their findings and recommendations to arguments against withdrawing from the Paris agreement.

“We started this report before Paris occurred,” retired Capt. Captain Leo Goff said. “It looks at trends over the last 15 years, and our projections are for a decade or two to three. We think this transcends Paris and administrations and is really for a longer view.”

In the report, which the board will brief administration defense and security officials on Tuesday, the retired officers said rising energy demands will change the geopolitical landscape.

So far, the report argues, the United States has not stepped up to be a leader on what the report terms “advanced energy,” which it defines as nuclear, hydro, renewable or alternative power.

“The reality is that the U.S. is falling behind,” the report says.

The United States has fallen behind China and the European Union, said retired Vice Adm. Lee Gunn, adding, “We don’t think that’s where we should continue to be.”

Leading would help the United States maintain its competitive advantage against countries such as China and Iran, the report adds.
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