Key Takeaways
- •The DOD announced a top-to-bottom overhaul of military construction to reduce nine-year project timelines and is accelerating the JANUS program to deploy advanced nuclear microreactors by 2028.
- •Dale R. Marks (Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment) testified that degraded installations are a present threat to power projection and require aligning standards with industry practices.
- •Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, HI-2) pressed W. Jordan Gillis (Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment) to abandon land condemnation threats during lease negotiations for Hawaii's Pohakuloa Training Area.
- •Rep. Austin Scott (R, GA-8) advocated for nuclear-generated jet fuel over "unreliable" renewables, while Rep. John Garamendi (D, CA-8) questioned the department's decision to halt previously approved offshore wind projects.
- •This oversight matters as the subcommittee implements 2026 NDAA authorities to address a 60 percent construction cost premium and restores financial viability to failing privatized housing and barracks portfolios.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on March 4, 2026, to review the Department of Defense (DOD) programs related to energy, installations, and the environment. Chaired by Rep. Jack Bergman (R, MI-1), the hearing focused on the management of the DOD’s massive real estate portfolio, which includes over 500 installations and 600,000 structures. Key themes included the persistent failures in privatized military housing, the urgent need for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation, the impact of inflation on military construction (MILCON) projects, and the strategic necessity of energy resilience in the face of cyber threats and climate change.
Key Testimony
The witness panel included the Honorable Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment; the Honorable Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment; the Honorable Brendan Rogers, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment; and the Honorable Michael Borders, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment.
A significant portion of the hearing addressed the substandard conditions of privatized military housing. Rep. Jack Bergman (R, MI-1) and Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) expressed deep concern over reports of mold, lead, and pests in family housing. Secretary Marks testified that the DOD has fully implemented the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights at most installations and hired over 600 additional staff to oversee private partners. Secretary Gillis noted that the Army has issued formal notices of concern and default to certain providers to force remediation. Witnesses also discussed the "unaccompanied housing" or barracks backlog, with the Army committing $1 billion annually over the next decade to modernize these facilities.
Organizations & Entities
Environmental restoration, specifically PFAS contamination, was a major focus for Ranking Member John Garamendi (D, CA-8) and Rep. Austin Scott (R, GA-8). Secretary Marks explained that the DOD is following the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process to identify and remediate sites. He identified two primary bottlenecks: an evolving regulatory landscape as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates health advisories, and the lack of cost-effective technology to destroy PFAS molecules in soil. The DOD is on track to meet statutory deadlines to stop using PFAS-based firefighting foam by 2024 and complete a full phase-out by 2025.
Energy resilience was framed as a mission-critical requirement rather than just an environmental goal. Secretary Marks and Secretary Borders discussed the transition from individual backup generators to installation-wide microgrids. These systems allow bases to "island" themselves from the commercial grid during outages caused by extreme weather or cyberattacks. The DOD currently has over 30 microgrid projects in development. Additionally, the department is working toward electrifying its non-tactical vehicle fleet, though Secretary Marks acknowledged challenges regarding grid capacity and the supply chain for long-lead items like transformers and switchgear.
Overview
The hearing also touched on regional strategic investments, particularly the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI). Secretary Borders detailed infrastructure hardening in the Indo-Pacific, including hardened aircraft shelters and improved fuel storage, to counter threats from the People's Republic of China. Secretary Rogers highlighted the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP), a 20-year, $21 billion effort to modernize the Navy’s four public shipyards, which is essential for fleet readiness.
Key Testimony
Inflation emerged as a critical hurdle for MILCON. Rep. Donald Davis (D, NC-1) questioned how the department is handling cost overruns of 20% to 50% on authorized projects. Secretary Marks stated that the DOD is utilizing "2853 authority" to handle minor increases but must return to Congress for prior approval reprogramming for larger gaps. In some cases, projects are being "descoped" to stay within budget.
Overview
The following organizations were identified and discussed: - United States Department of Defense (DOD): The central entity responsible for the 500+ installations and the overarching energy and housing policies discussed. - United States Department of the Army (Army): Discussed regarding its $1 billion annual barracks investment, its use of Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs), and housing challenges at Fort Liberty. - United States Department of the Air Force (Air Force): Referenced regarding the Sentinel program infrastructure, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, and housing shortages at Mountain Home Air Force Base. - United States Department of the Navy (Navy): Focused on the $21 billion SIOP shipyard modernization and coastal resilience planning. - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Mentioned as the regulatory body setting PFAS health advisory levels and providing disposal guidance for hazardous materials. - United States Marine Corps (Marine Corps): Referenced in the context of recruitment depot infrastructure at Parris Island and joint coordination in the Pacific. - People's Republic of China (China): Identified as the primary pacing threat necessitating resilient and hardened infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region. - United States Department of Energy (DOE): Cited as a partner for the DOD in developing advanced energy technologies like microgrids and specialized nuclear power. - United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM): The coordinating command for joint infrastructure requirements and logistics in the Pacific theater. - United States Space Force (Space Force): Mentioned as a stakeholder in the Air Force’s installation and modernization programs.
The hearing concluded with a bipartisan consensus on the need for better oversight of private contractors and continued investment in resilient infrastructure to maintain military readiness.
Transcript
...I know that you're responsible for the foundation of the Department of Defense. The installations that support operations, housing, and for our service members and their families. The energy that powers our bases and the land that allows our forces to train and fight. For too long, this foundation has been overlooked and underfunded. This subcommittee made it a priority to shine a light on aging infrastructure, dilapidated barracks, leaking ceilings, and our premier laboratories. And World War II facilities, they're still out there, where we maintain some of our most exquisite assets. I'm proud that we have worked in a bipartisan way to increase the funding for these accounts and create new authorities to streamline military construction and hold the department accountable. However, as you heard from the chairman, not great success yet. But there is always more work to be done. This fiscal year, the Department of Navy is in the process of executing the SIOP program. It's essential for maintaining our aircraft carriers, submarines, today and into the future. However, the SIOP must not become another example of overruns, construction delays, and shifting timelines. Unfortunately, it's well on the road to accomplishing that rather nefarious goal. As the ranking member strongly said, the oversight of the SIOP will remain a top priority for me and for this subcommittee for the next few years. This year, the subcommittee will also address how emerging technologies are integrated into our installations. The administration has directed the department to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence on DOD installations. AI may offer real benefits in logistics and sustainment, but we must proceed thoughtfully. Data centers cannot be placed on installations without ensuring that there is sufficient energy capacity. We also cannot allow AI to sustain and strain the base operations or the resources of the surrounding communities. And that brings us to energy. Energy resilience, including the advanced nuclear technology that the chairman was talking about a moment ago. I am encouraged by the department's efforts to invest in unique fuels and technologies that are safe, efficient, and can protect the department from risks presented by the electrical grid system. Energy security is national security. But I have concerns about consolidating nuclear development under a single service rather than maintaining strong oversight at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Each installation is likely to be with unique needs, and we must assure these efforts strengthen, not distract from the service core missions. And that we must execute responsibly on the nuclear authorities provided in the 2026 NDAA. Energy resilience has been a bipartisan focus of this subcommittee for years, and we've worked to diversify the installation's energy sources, whether through batteries, microgrids, or nuclear technologies, all the while protecting operational readiness. And I would add to that conservation. A little bit of installation here or there may be the fastest way to get a lot more energy out of a system. The DOD Siting Clearinghouse, created by this committee in 2011, is a great example of how the DOD has balanced the use of alternate energies with DOD operations. It has successfully protected military testing, training, and radar systems while working constructively with energy developers to mitigate conflicts. That process has proven predictability for both the department and the industries. That's why I was disappointed to see the Office of the Secretary of Defense halt the construction of numerous offshore wind projects, all projects that had previously been approved by the DOD Siting Clearinghouse. In some cases, they were over 90 percent complete. While I understand there's an ongoing litigation regarding these projects, we must ensure that long-standing transparent process of the DOD Siting Clearinghouse are not undermined. The department should be working collaborative with industry to protect readiness while supporting responsible development that can benefit installations and energy security. In the year ahead, this subcommittee under the leadership of Mr. Bergman will continue its oversight of infrastructure modernization, quality of life improvements, and energy resiliency. I look forward to working with my colleagues here on the panel as well as with those that are before us today as all of us seek to strengthen the foundation that supports our warfighters and their families. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
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