Mabus, who made his remarks during a luncheon hosted by the National Aeronautic Association in Arlington, Va., disputed the contention that the Navy is investing in unproven and costly technology by pursuing a course for biofuels.
"The technology is there," he said.
According to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, which covered the event, Mabus went on to point to research that shows biofuels will be a viable alternative for fossil fuel between 2018 and 2024.
"What we can do is speed that up to make it more competitive," he said.
The US Navy has been using biofuels in several of its recent large-scale exercises, and is moving toward creating a "green" fleet of ships that use biofuels and other renewables.
In addition, the Office of Naval Research's program to hone the chemistry for producing jet fuel from renewable resources in theater.
The most promising process, the Navy says, would catalytically convert carbon dioxide hydrogen gas directly to liquid hydrocarbon fuel used as JP-5, a process being developed and honed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
But Mabus stressed that the Navy's research efforts are ongoing.
"We don't have a favorite technology," he said.
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