A recent report on the advisability of converting the Army's tactical truck fleet to hybrid electric vehicles found that while the technology is feasible, it remains too expensive and too risky to warrant any action other than further study.

Sharon Burke, the DOD's first-ever director of operational energy plans and programs, met last week with Army officials who presented their energy plans for the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Marine Corps Systems Command plans to start fielding more energy efficient air conditioning units and generators in 2011 and 2012, a move program officials say should create fuel savings of 15 to 20 percent.

Some defense industry experts welcomed news last week that heralded a hybrid electric drive option as one of three bids being considered for the Army's multibillion-dollar Ground Combat Vehicle program.

Nine months after Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced five green energy goals for the service to meet in the next decade, a service official told Inside the Navy last week there has been progress on those goals and the service would start biofuels certification testing of a combat ship this fall.

The Pentagon and the Energy Department have forged a partnership through a new memorandum of understanding designed to push for clean energy technology coordination and to enhance national energy security.

Rising fuel costs and a desire to cut down on maintenance spending is helping push the Navy's increasing use of simulators for training, but the service must be careful to not be overly reliant on the systems, Vice Adm. William Burke, deputy chief of naval operations for fleet readiness and logistics (N4), told a House panel last week.

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office expects to have an energy strategy for the service on the commandant's desk by next month, according to the head of the office.

As the Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office gears up for a new round of technology demonstrations, Marines are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan with gear from ExFOB phase II.

Changes in the way ships use energy could ultimately affect the entire force structure of the Navy, particularly the nature of support ships, the service's chief engineer said last week.

The Air Force's "Technology Horizons" study has found that more attention must be given to developing the technologies needed to reduce manpower, energy and sustainment costs, according to the service's chief scientist.

The Army is preparing an initial capabilities document that will influence the service's operational energy strategy and has the potential to change key performance parameters for many vehicle platforms.

The Marine Corps is plotting a new chapter in its "ExFOB" expeditionary energy project next month, this time focusing on more efficient climate control, generators and water cooling.

The Army should study the viability of nuclear energy in operating its facilities to help address future energy needs and threats, according to an Army Science Board task force report.

The military may use oilers to transfer biofuels overseas in order to power the Green Strike Group when it goes over the horizon, according to the Defense Logistics Agency.

The Senate Armed Services Committee requests reports on Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' energy goals including cost estimates and timelines as well as details on Littoral Combat Ship homeporting through 2020, according to language in the panel's report accompanying its version of the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill.

The Senate Armed Services Committee has injected millions of dollars into the Army's fiscal year 2011 budget request to encourage the service to further explore alternative energy technologies, according to a committee report released this month.

Air Combat Command officials have taken a number of steps to reduce fuel and energy consumption over the last few years but more work still needs to be done, according to a service official.

The Navy issued its climate change roadmap earlier this month, which outlines guidance for the service's policy, strategy and investment plans to address rising sea levels and other outcomes to a changing geographic environment, but it remains undetermined if funds will be set aside in response to the initiative.

A top Air Force official this week outlined the service's energy plan for taking new approaches to reduce demand, increase supply and change the service's culture toward using energy resources.