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
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