Journey to Energy Independence

Independence means —
    “Freedom from control: freedom from dependence on or control by another person, organization, or state”
— Microsoft Encarta Dictionary

Seventy percent of all oil consumed in the USA is used for transportation fuel—gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

“The most direct way to reduce our dependency on oil is to simply use less, starting with the cars and trucks we drive. Nearly 70 percent of our oil use is for transportation, and more than 65 percent of that amount is for personal vehicles.”

— Nobel physicist Steven Chu, former U.S. Secretary of Energy

Energy Independence is a powerful verbal icon, originally conceived and defined in the context of the 1973 Arab oil embargo; and later amplified on September 11, 2001.

U.S. oil companies were the calvary leading the charge for energy independence during those times. U.S. oil companies responded to these crises by discovering and developing America's own petroleum resources. American Energy Independence does not mean the end of oil production. The importance of non-fossil fuel products from oil refining, that contribute so much to our modern world, must be acknowledged, and protected from those who want all petroleum production banned.

Energy independence is about reducing demand for fossil fuels, not about ending oil production.

The phrase “Energy Independence” is a verbal icon embodying an idea that resonates with the character of America—it is a call for return to economic balance and protection from vulnerability created by over-dependence on petroleum to fuel our cars, trucks and airplanes.

Today, over 80 percent of world petroleum reserves are state-owned — controlled by countries that have the power to manipulate supply and price with impunity.

Energy independence does not mean closed borders or economic isolation. Energy independence will be achieved by producing abundant and affordable alternative transportation fuels through advanced technology that will enable all countries to do the same. American Energy Independence will lead to global energy independence.

A few economists and advocates of global free trade have voiced a narrow view of energy independence, claiming that it will mean a retreat from global economic interdependence, a direction that would disrupt the global free market and lead America toward economic and political isolation. Their view is not true.

The United States does not need zero foreign oil imports to be energy independent. There is no reason to end oil imports from Canada and Mexico. Energy independence is not about protectionism.

From an economic point of view, Energy Independence means energy security (supply and price stability); an objective that can be achieved through the development of alternative transportation fuels and multi-fuel vehicles (including electric), which would give consumers an opportunity to choose a non-petroleum fuel at the pump.

U.S. Electric Utility Companies responded to the threat of the 1973 Arab oil embargo by replacing petroleum fuel oil with USA coal, nuclear energy and natural gas to power their generators. The USA no longer depends on petroleum to generate electricity for the power grid.

The U.S. Automobile industry must do today what the U.S. Electric Utility industry did over 40 years ago — Kick the oil habit!

American Energy Independence will be achieved when American drivers have the choice to fill their cars and trucks with non-petroleum fuels. Today, cars and trucks use gasoline and diesel made from petroleum. Technology exists today that can enable all cars and trucks to run on USA produced synthetic fuels (alcohol or diesel) made from natural gas, or compressed natural gas, biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity.

American Energy Independence will lead to global energy independence

The United States is a world leader. The nations of the world look to the United States for leadership. American Energy Independence is about world leadership. The technology that will make the USA energy independent will also give energy independence to all the world.

Reference links:
1973 oil embargo
U.S. Energy Information Administration