Rep. Bartlett Aims To Cut Military Oil Usage

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Maryland Congressman Roscoe Bartlett says he and three other House members are working together to reduce military oil consumption.

Bartlett announced the formation of the Defense Energy Security Caucus on Tuesday along with fellow Republican Jack Kingston of Georgia, New York Democrat Maurice Hinchey and the office of Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona.

They say the Defense Department is the world's largest industrial user of oil. Hinchey says a $1 dollar increase in crude oil prices means another $130 million in military fuel costs.

 Bartlett says the bipartisan caucus will help reduce the armed services' vulnerability to changes in oil price and supply.

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