Today, at the Naval Energy Forum in McLean, VA., Naval Secretary Ray Mabus described the various green initiatives that make up the service’s new energy efficient agenda. The Navy’s forthcoming “Great Green Fleet” carrier strike group will consist of ships powered by either biofuel or nuclear energy, as well as biofueled fighter jets. Yesterday marked the initial tests of a biofuel engine for a new F/A-18 “Green Hornet” jet. Mabus declared that the new plane will fly local operations within three years and will have full operational abilities by 2016. In the meantime, improvements made on F/A -18 engines powered by traditional fuels will increase their fuel efficiency by 3%. That translates to a savings of 127,000 barrels of oil per plane each year. The Navy and Marine Corps are taking a new, greener approach to awarding industry contracts as well. Energy and fueling costs for all ships, planes, weapons and buildings will be “mandatory evaluation factor[s]” in determining the awarding of building and weapons contracts. Mabus stated, “We’re going to hold industry contractually accountable for meeting energy targets and system efficiency requirements.” In addition, the Navy plans to convert its 50,000-strong commercial vehicle fleet to electric and hybrid power by 2015. By 2020, 50% of the Navy’s shore- based energy use will come from alternative fuels, as well as solar, wind and geothermal sources.