Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request for Military Construction, Energy and Environmental Programs
House Subcommittee on Readiness
July 14th, 2021
Witnesses:
- Mr. Paul D. Cramer – Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
- Mr. Jack Surash – Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army Installations, Environment, and Energy
- Mr. Todd Schafer – Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy Installations, Environment, and Energy
- Ms. Jennifer L. Miller – Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Installations, Environment, and Energy
The four witnesses that appeared before the House Subcommittee on Readiness received high praise from Chairman Garamendi for being career civil servants and for their work done for the United States. Mr. Paul Cramer spoke before the subcommittee representing the Department of Defense and requested $26.1 billion for military construction, sustainment, and restoration for new and enduring facilities. The facilities that are being constructed and those that the Department of Defense hopes to sustain must be capable of withstanding extreme climate events according to Mr. Cramer.
Mr. Todd Schafer who was representing the Navy before the subcommittee requested $2.3 billion for twenty-nine projects that are intended to replace aging infrastructure. Mr. Schafer explained that this request reflects the shipyard optimization plan that the Navy and select members of Congress support. The request also includes funding for housing that Mr. Schafer explained to the subcommittee as an extremely necessary need for military families.
Mr. Schafer went on to answer various questions from the subcommittee members and explained the current and future goals of the Navy. One such goal that Mr. Schafer spoke about is the expansion of Naval Air Station Fallon. Mr. Schafer reassured the members of the subcommittee that the Navy will collaborate with the Secretary of Interior and others to obtain information on cultural and natural resources and how expanding the base may affect such resources. Another goal is the modernization of drydocks, however, Mr. Schafer stated that current drydocks need to remain open while new ones are being created to maintain readiness.
Much of the hearing had to do with readiness with respect to extreme weather conditions or events that may occur in the near future. Mr. Cramer stated that the Department of Defense is preparing to have a climate-ready workforce and a resilient infrastructure to maintain readiness. Mr. Schafer described that at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar a black start disconnect was simulated. The station used a microgrid and eleven megawatts energy capability which allowed for the one hundred plus critical mission facility to function for fourteen days.
There was a concern from Congressman Kahele (D-HI) that there could be issues in the near future with the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands. The Runit Dome is a site in which radioactive waste is held and the Congressman asked the Department of Defense to investigate if there is a cause for concern if there happens to be a climate emergency.
For a recording of the full subcommittee hearing, please use the following link.