“At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the country that faced down the tyranny of fascism and communism is now called to challenge the tyranny of oil. For the very resource that has fueled our way of life over the last hundred years now threatens to destroy it if our generation does not act now and act boldly.” — Barack Obama

A Journey to Energy Independence

“At a time of such great challenge for America, no single issue is as fundamental to our future as energy. America's dependence on oil is one of the most serious threats that our nation has faced. It bankrolls dictators, pays for nuclear proliferation, and funds both sides of our struggle against terrorism. It puts the American people at the mercy of shifting gas prices, stifles innovation and sets back our ability to compete.”

President Barack Obama, January 26, 2009

Oil is a natural source of energy, but it is not the only source of energy. With the help of new technology, America’s energy needs can be obtained from sources other than petroleum. American technology has put a man on the moon, mapped the human genome, and successfully landed robotic exploration vehicles on Mars. It seems reasonable to believe that American scientists and engineers could also develop environmentally safe alternative energy technology that would free America from oil dependence.

Following the 1973 Arab oil embargo, the idea of energy independence captured the imagination of the American people. Then during the 1980's, the accumulative effect of increased automobile fuel efficiency combined with increased global oil production created a surplus of oil on the world market. As a result, the price of oil dropped back below pre-1973 levels and America’s enthusiasm for energy independence faded into memory. Now, more than thirty years after the oil embargo, re-awakened by the terrorist attack on 9/11 and war in the Middle East, the idea of American energy independence has returned with a vengeance, becoming a powerful force shaping the political views of a new generation of Americans.

The 1973 Arab oil embargo interrupted the flow of oil causing severe gasoline shortages and long lines at gas stations. The embargo exposed America's growing oil dependence and gave the American people their first warning of the price they would pay for continued dependence on imported oil. The 1979 Iranian revolution interrupted the flow of oil again — this was the second warning, signaling the urgent need for American Energy Independence. The 1991 Persian Gulf War was a military intervention to stop one dictator from taking control of Middle East oil — this was the third and most severe warning. Failure to make energy independence the nation’s highest priority after the Gulf War demonstrated that the United States did not have the political will to free itself from dependence on foreign oil.

September 11, 2001 was a preview of America's future — one possible future.

On September 12, 2001 the United States awakened from a nightmare, finding itself standing at a crossroad, facing a choice between two very different futures: One choice would lead the country to increased dependence on foreign oil and a future dominated by terrorism and war. The other choice would lead to American energy independence and a world economy that is no longer desperate for oil.

In the months following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a bipartisan group of U.S. leaders attempted to persuade the Bush Administration to focus on energy independence through the development of America’s vast unconventional hydrocarbon resources, including coal-to-liquids technology.

In the late 1970's and early 1980's a demonstration program had proven that the USA could replace 100% of its gasoline requirements with methanol fuel made from coal and other heavy “unconventional” hydrocarbons, which the USA has in abundance (equivalent to over one trillion barrels of oil). The technology to make methanol from natural gas and coal has a proven track record, and methanol cars were successfully developed by Ford and GM in the 1980's. The Methanol program in California was successful, but it was not pursued because the price of oil had fallen below $12 per barrel (and much lower for a time).

The bipartisan group presented the evidence for a methanol economy, arguing that post 9/11 public support for energy independence gave the Bush Administration a unique political opportunity to achieve the long awaited goal of breaking free of OPEC oil dependence.

Unfortunately, the lure of cheap Iraqi oil seemed like the easier way, and on March 20, 2003 President George W. Bush chose the path to war, a direction that led America to increased dependence on foreign oil, the death of over 4,000 U.S. soldiers and a huge national debt.

Then, during the summer of 2008 the price of oil hit $147 per barrel; it was the straw that broke the back of the international financial system, exposing a global portfolio of cancerous toxic assets that had been growing for many years, hidden within layers of esoteric financial products called derivatives—over 500 trillion dollars of paper wealth threatening to implode the global banking system.

Artist Michael D’Antuono, known for his controversial painting of President Obama in a crucifixion-like pose again uses strong imagery to make his point. The first painting titled “Dependence” depicts a burqa-clad Statue of Liberty encircled by vultures in an apocalyptic environment clinging to a barrel of oil instead of a book and a gasoline nozzle raised above her head in place of her torch.

The second piece titled “Independence”, offers an optimistic alternative to the first with our Miss Liberty this time embracing a solar panel and wind turbine as eagles and doves glide through an idyllic blue sky.

Undeterred by the furor that caused him to cancel his last public exhibition, the socially conscious artist is continuing making statements with his art. “I felt that Independence Day would be an appropriate time to shine a spotlight on the problem and encourage people to help make our great country more energy independent” says D’Antuono.

The paintings can be viewed at New York City’s Washington Square Park Garibaldi Plaza from 10 am-4 pm on July 4th. Both pieces are 40” x 30” oil paintings with copper colored frames, one shiny and pristine, the other soiled with soot and grime. The art will be exhibited inside a booth decorated with patriotic trimmings including the image of the American flag with the question INDEPENDENCE? dripped in oil.

For more information, visit the artist’s website at www.dantuonoarts.com

Michael D’Antuono's optimistic vision of the future, symbolized by his painting of the Statue of Liberty holding a wind turbine in one hand and a solar panel in the other speaks directly to our collective belief that America can harness its own natural resources and free itself from oil dependence, if the people choose to do so.

Although the symbolism conveys the essence of a truth that most American's understand intuitively, there is danger in interpreting the symbols of wind and solar literally. Wind and solar alone will not produce energy independence (alternative transportation fuel) anytime in the near future. America's oil dependence is really gasoline dependence. And it is unlikely that renewable electricity and electric cars will have a meaningful impact on gasoline consumption within the next ten years and possibly not for another twenty years or more.

America needs a source of alternative transportation fuel that can replace gasoline, now. AmericanEnergyIndependence.com has published The Plan for American Energy Independence describing in detail how America, and the world, can replace gasoline with non-petroleum synthetic methanol. The resources and technology exist today – all that is needed is political leadership and the will of the people to do it.

Freedom is not Free

Today, the world consumes over 85 million barrels of oil every day (over 30 billion barrels per year). The USA alone consumes over 21 million barrels per day (over 7 billion barrels per year). At $50 per barrel, global petroleum revenue exceeds 1.5 trillion dollars a year. Development of alternative fuels on a scale large enough to free the global economy from dependence on oil as the world's primary source of energy will create a seismic shift within the economic foundation of the world.

“Energy is the single most important problem facing humanity today — not just the U.S., but also worldwide.”
— Nobel Laureate Dr. Richard Smalley ~ Our Energy Challenge

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.

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.

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

Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea

Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea, like freedom, one that should be thought of much like we think of our national independence—our liberty, which is both an ideal and a physical reality. Energy Independence can and should be pursued with the same patriotic spirit that fought for, won and sustains American democracy and freedom.

Democracy and freedom are protected and strengthened when democratic nations join together in areas of mutual self-interest, such as defense and trade.

The United States has successfully created international relationships without compromising the freedom of American citizens. For example, the USA has interdependent relationships with other countries, both economically and militarily — however, if America’s economic or military “interdependence” becomes “dependence” to the point of undermining our national independence or economic security, there will be a public outcry.. much like we see today regarding America's oil dependence.

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.

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 — this fact goes directly to the heart of energy security.

The phrase “Energy Independence” is a slogan 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—it is a public outcry voiced by citizens demanding government leadership in energy production, distribution, security and fuel choice.

Energy Independence means energy abundance and energy self-sufficiency derived from a variety of domestic energy resources. The phrase Energy Independence is a powerful national slogan—originally conceived and defined in the context of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, today Energy Independence is the vision of America's energy future and the title of America's new energy policy.

References:
1973 oil embargo
1979 energy crisis
1991 Persian Gulf War
2001 September 11^th USA
2003 Iraq war - In Progress
World Oil Market and Oil Price Chronologies: 1970 - 2006
World Oil Price Chronologies and Projection: 2006 - 2009