This bill requires the Department of Defense to achieve net zero energy consumption across its non-operational facilities, such as buildings and fixed installations, by December 31, 2034. The Secretary of Defense must submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress within one year detailing how each military department will meet this goal, along with biennial progress reports through 2034. The bill includes a national security waiver allowing the Secretary to delay compliance if it would threaten operational safety or military readiness.
The legislation also establishes new climate-focused contracting requirements for DOD, starting October 1, 2025. All defense contracts must disclose projected energy consumption and provide statements on renewable energy investments. Contractors must reveal climate-related financial risks and greenhouse gas emissions, and those not producing renewable energy equal to their consumption must pay a one percent contract fee. The bill creates an Energy and Climate Resilience Fund from these fees to support climate adaptation projects at military installations.
Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on military installations most vulnerable to climate change and sets goals for awarding contracts to small businesses using green manufacturing technology, reaching 50 percent by 2034. It authorizes $735 million over nine years for research and development of energy storage systems and microgrids to improve military infrastructure resilience, and requires climate considerations in future base realignment decisions.