Energy Independence

<p>The world's oil reserve is a finite resource which is rapidly being depleted; inevitably we will run out. It is the United States Governments fundamental responsibility to ensure we are prepared to face an oil-constrained and eventually an oil-free world. Currently the US imports 2/3 of its oil from other nations many of which are unstable and openly hostile to us. This leaves the US vulnerable to the whims of these nations and their leaders. To eliminate this threat the US needs to commit sufficient resources to the development of technologies which are sustainable and will allow us to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for petroleum. The sooner we begin developing alternatives to oil the less costly and painful it will be. This paper suggests that we simultaneously undertake a two prong approach one that focuses on the near term activities which can be implemented in the 5-10 year timeframe and the second looks at technologies which may be implemented in the next 15-30 years.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>