SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today welcomed Rear Admiral Markham K. Rich, Navy Commander for the Southwest Region, and Navy Captain William Whitmire, of the Naval Corps of Engineers. Pro Tem Kevin de León and Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) presented the officers with a resolution commending the leadership of the U.S. Navy in its efforts to improve energy security by deploying renewable energy technology, energy efficiency, and water conservation measures (VIDEO).
Remarks by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León welcoming Navy Rear Adm. Rich and Captain Whitmire to the State Senate, as prepared for delivery:
It is a privilege to introduce and welcome Rear Admiral Markham Rich and Navy Captain William Whitmire to the California State Senate.
Rear Admiral Rich is Commander of the U.S. Navy for the Southwest Region, where he oversees operations and facilities across six Western States. He’s also known as Navy “Mayor” of San Diego, as he is the ranking naval officer based in that great city.
Captain William Whitmire serves with the Naval Corps of Engineers. He is the Assistant Chief of Staff for Facilities at Marine Corps Installations West – also known as Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego.
Together, Rear Adm. Rich and Captain Whitmire are leading efforts to improve energy security at military installations across the region. Their efforts are part of a broader initiative across our armed forces to improve energy independence for tactical, economic, and environmental purposes.
The Department of Defense has called climate change a “threat multiplier,” and we have seen the tactical importance of alternative energy sources, as a staggering number of battlefield casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan were related to attacks on fuel convoys.
As a result, the Secretary of the Navy has stated that energy independence is a national security issue and has established goals for the department to:
- Reduce petroleum use in the Navy’s fleet 50% by 2015;
- Produce at least 50% of onshore energy requirements from alternative sources; and
- Require 50% of the Department’s installations to be net-zero by 2020;
So far, MCI-West has invested $5 billion in “smart” infrastructure, including utilities, and energy efficiency projects. The installation is generating over 24 MW of renewable energy and is on track to expand significantly. They are also developing infrastructure to support zero-emissions vehicles, including on-site solar power generation that is connected to hydrogen generation and storage equipment to power fuel-cell vehicles.
These are cutting-edge projects that would have seemed impossible to realize just 10 or 15 years ago. But as always, our armed forces are one step ahead of the public at large.
I want to commend the Navy and the Marine Corps for their initiative and ambition on this critical frontier.
Colleagues, please join me in welcoming these fine leaders to our chamber.
---
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpEUTO3s_bw&feature=youtu.be