By Jolie Lee
Federal News Radio

The Army is turning to the private sector to help reach its goal of having a quarter of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025.

“We recognize that in an era of diminished budgets, we need to partner with the private sector,” said Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment.

The contracts can be as long as 30 years to allow time to develop some energy sources – like geothermal or biomass.

The Army has about 20 projects currently in the works, some which will start operating by 2014, Hammock said.

Many installations may have a combination of energy sources, she said. The geography of some installation may be ideal for solar energy, while other bases may be better for wind.

“We’re finding there’s no one-size-fits-all,” Hammack said.

The move toward energy efficiency hedges again rising utility costs, as well as the vulnerability of the grid, she said. The greening efforts are also a “job-generating source” for the private sector, Hammack added.

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