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Energy Independence

Energy independence is a concept that means different things to different people.  Some politicians seem to believe that energy independence means we should generate more electricity from wind, solar, and other renewable sources.  Others suggest that building more nuclear power plants is part of the answer.  We strongly support all methods of clean electricity production, but that is not part of the path to energy independence.  While there may be environmental and other reasons to develop more renewable or nuclear electricity, new electrical generating capacity, no matter what the source, will not bring us any closer to actually achieving energy independence.

Examining the total amount of energy that we produce and consume from all sources makes it abundantly clear that true energy independence can only mean one thing, drastically reducing and eventually eliminating our use of imported oil and petroleum products.  The magnitude of the difference between production and consumption is enormous; nearly 73% of the oil and petroleum products we use are imported.  Since only about 2% of oil and petroleum products are used for electric power generation, anyone that proclaims more wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, or nuclear power are part of the solution either does not understand the problem or has another agenda.

Politicians only give lip service to energy independence.  They talk a good game and act like they are finally going to do something about it each time the country is in the midst of an imported oil supply or price crisis, when the American people are clamoring for action.  But then, as soon as the crisis is over and gasoline prices fall, it's back to business as usual and promoting the same failed energy policies because it is much easier for politicians to say "we can't drill our way out" and for us to just ignore the problem when oil prices are stable or declining.

We must become energy self sufficient.  We have to hold our politicians feet to the fire and force them to adopt policies that will actually lead to energy independence in the next 10 - 15 years, not at some point decades in the future after we have endured more economic, foreign policy, and national security hardships caused by our dependence.  We need a comprehensive plan, such as the one we have developed, that will completely replace imported oil in the short-term, gradually reduce the overall use of crude oil, and address long-term environmental concerns with the use of all fossil fuels.

Even though gas prices are currently back under $2 a gallon, we can't afford to wait for the next crisis.  Unlike Europe, which is hostage to Russia using natural gas as a weapon, we have the natural resources that, along with sustainable biofuels, would allow us to become energy independent in just a few years.  All we need is the political will to develop those resources.  Now is the time to act, before the next oil crisis, and begin to finally free ourselves from the sword of Damocles that has been hanging over our heads for going on four decades.