Pentagon alone can't fix dependency on foreign oil.

• Position: Washington PULSE

Despite highly publicized efforts by the Pentagon to showcase its energy-saving technologies and efforts to cut back on fossil fuel consumption, it is not likely to become a pivotal force in reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil. The Pentagon accounts for only 1 percent of the nation's fuel use, which is about the same amount that American Airlines alone burns.

Although the Defense Department spends $2 billion a year on energy-efficiency programs, its buying power in the global oil market is negligible, at 340,000 barrels per day, compared to 21 million...