U.S. Army's Major Solar Project at Fort Polk Aims to Combat Climate Change
The U.S. Army is taking significant steps to combat climate change, acknowledging it as an immediate national security threat and a 'threat multiplier'. The Army's Climate Strategy includes a major solar project at Fort Polk in Louisiana, aiming to increase resiliency and reduce utility costs.
The 13 MW solar project at Fort Polk, set to be completed by Corvias and a mix of private contractors and energy firms like EDF Renewables and Ameresco, will supply enough electricity to power approximately 1,800 military homes, around 42% of the installation's homes. This project is part of the Army's broader goal to use 100% carbon pollution-free electricity at all its installations by 2030.
The project is expected to reduce electricity use by 31% and save nearly $40 million over 25 years. Corvias plans to expand the project to 15 MW to 18 MW, using 100% renewable energy for Fort Polk's housing. The Army has invested over $60 million in Fort Polk's energy projects, contributing over $360 million to the local economy.
Natural disasters and extreme weather events, driven by climate change, have caused $13 billion in damages to DoD bases. To mitigate this, the Army plans to install a microgrid on every installation by 2035 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2032.
The solar project at Fort Polk is a significant step in the Army's Climate Strategy, demonstrating its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing the resiliency of its installations. The project is expected to bring substantial savings and contribute positively to the local economy.
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