VI: CONCLUSION

The United States is further from its goal of national energy security today than it was 30 years ago. Unless there are significant improvements to or re-engineering of the internal combustion engine, as well as reforms to transportation policy, by 202 the goal of independence from foreign oil will be even more out of reach.

The data on trends for U.S. oil imports make clear that previous policies to achieve increased domestic production have not worked. The current plan by the Bush administration to address national energy security by diversifying sources of foreign oil is also doomed to failure because of volatility in the world market, political instability, and economic development needs in regions of the world where substantial oil deposits now lie.

It is time to seek fresh solutions and to implement new policies. Transportation represents the most promising area for the largest gains. This sector's share of oil consumption is by far the biggest.

In the short run, over the next decade, vehicle fuel efficiency standards should be improved to reduce consumption and dependence on foreign imports. Above all, the U.S. must address national energy security by adopting a long-term energy policy with the goal of greatly reducing this nation's dependence on fossil fuels for energy. The focus of new policy initiatives should be to support the development and deployment of new technologies, like fuel cells, and new fuels, such as hydrogen.

Since its founding, America's destiny has been shaped by two overarching values: determination and ingenuity. As America faces new and unprecedented challenges, it is once again time to call on these strengths. In today's dramatically altered world, energy security is tantamount to national security. But freedom from dependency on oil can only be achieved through bold initiatives. American know-how can drastically limit our reliance on oil, if we have the courage for unprecedented measures. Then this nation can become truly energy secure.

Back to Table of Contents

Download a complete copy of America, Oil & National Security in PDF format.