A couple of stories from the front, I mean, pump, via my friend, Marine Mom. The Washington Examiner reports:

According to a Pentagon report submitted to the House Appropriations  Defense Subcommittee, a gallon of fuel costs taxpayers about $400 by the time it arrives in the remote locations in Afghanistan where U.S. troops operate.

But don't worry. Marine Gen. James Conway is still fighting the good, I mean, green fight. Who cares about boots on the ground when our carbon footprint is growing? Aviation Week reports:

Gen. James Conway said Oct. 14 he will spend the last year of his post as U.S. Marine Corps Commandant making energy efficiency one of his top priorities for the service.

His objective is "net zero," he told an audience at the Office of Naval Research's Naval Energy Forum. "Our bases and stations [should] provide as much energy as they make use of," he said. And if one day the Marines produce more energy than its infrastructure can use, Conway said he would not rule out selling the extra energy. ....

Great. Who needs to drill to be come energy independent? We'll just buy our energy from the Marines.

Where the Marine Corps has faltered is in its expeditionary capability, Conway said.

Tsk. Tsk.

"That's where focus needs to be generated most. That's where we're most inefficient." Transporting fuel and water miles into Afghanistan and Iraq along risky and dangerous routes can raise the cost of a $1.04 gallon of JP4 up to $400, he said. "These are fairly major problems for us," Conway added. He would like to see expeditionary, roll-up solar panels, transportable ground-source cooling methods and more efficient tents.

Yessir -- conservation is the solution to the problem of the Afghanistan money pit. Why not throw some solar panels on your mens' backs, general? And who in 130 degree heat needs energy-wasting air conditioners, anyway?

Good thing the Marines have someone with his priorities straight -- a regular General Al Gore.