Department of Defense calls for two Rounds of BRACs
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:32 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:32 PM EDT
Last week the Department of Defense officials announced they planned to seek two rounds of Base Realignment and Closure (BRACs) process .
Federal mandates will take effect in 2015, the same year that the first round is requested. The President signed the Energy Security and Independence Act in 2007 requiring federal agencies to reduce energy intensity by 3 percent per year, or 30 percent by fiscal year 2015 from a fiscal year 2003 baseline.
In order to meet requirements, some bases may be required to shut down. Retired General Rob McMahon of the 21st Century Partnership says the authority to have another BRAC does not exist today but they have to plan that it will occur.
"In most cases, they are going to look into some called military necessity and military value. What is the military value of this installation to our national defense and can we do without it?" said McMahon. "They also look at other factions such as community support which is absolutely essential and as well as what's the economic impact to the community if it were to close? But, that last element is probably the least important as the criteria is today."
Former Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta had requested BRACs for 2013 and 2015, but it was dismissed by members of both parties.
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