CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment), the Honorable Dennis McGinn, Camp Pendleton leadership and representatives during surrounding energy agencies attended the Department of Navy – California Agency Meeting held at the Pacific Views Events center here, April 23.
McGinn chaired the conference, which covered energy opportunities and solutions, energy and utilities infrastructures, alternative fuel sources and vehicles, state energy legislations, and coverage of the California drought and desalination throughout the course of the conference.
“Camp Pendleton already has some great energy resources, some of which have already been leveraged for the Marine Corps and the state of California,” said McGinn. “We have to make sure we are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible with regards to energy and water.”
Speakers highlighted available technologies such as microgrids, which are small, grid-connected distributed energy resources, and alternative energy technologies that can potentially provide more sustainable and secure ways to provide energy on base.
Representatives and subject matter experts underscored the importance of cooperation between the base, the state and local civilian enterprises as the crucial factor in expanding Camp Pendleton and the Department of the Navy’s energy efforts.
“Technology, Culture and Partnership are going to get it done,” said McGinn. “We’re working on new technology from hydrogen to photovoltaic and solar energy and other various sorts. Also, more importantly the reason why we’re here is because of partnership: Partnership between the Navy and the Marine Corps, partnership between the Department of the Navy and the State of California.”
Camp Pendleton leadership also stressed the importance of energy security on base for supporting operating forces both in garrison and in a deployed environment.
“We are focusing on our ability to develop energy security, increasing the efficiency of our energy sources and protecting the environment,” said Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta, Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Installations - West. “Energy is what allows us to operate and affects our ability to train Marines and project combat power. With a secure source of energy and the ability to generate and distribute energy locally ensures that we have the ability to operate and deploy whenever necessary.”