Declare energy self reliance a matter of national security and redirect military funding to achieve energy independence.

The President and Congress should declare energy independence by the U.S. a matter of national security. The national budget is bloated and continued spending by the military on unnecessary wars and military equipment are a primary contributor to the deficit. The military industrial complex should be tasked with transferring a percentage of the defense budget from spending overseas and on non-essential equipment to research and development toward achieving energy independence. For example, instead of spending millions on non-essential military electronic equipment, the funds would be directed to the same or other contractors to develop higher efficiency batteries, solar panels and wind turbines. This would not add to the budget, would save jobs, and would keep the U.S. competitive.