As the
world’s largest energy consumer, the United States stands to
benefit most by securing clean, safe, and affordable sources of
power for our homes, businesses, and transportation
sector. Though great opportunities exist, our position
as the world’s largest energy consumer also makes the U.S. uniquely
vulnerable to current energy practices that export our wealth,
place our security in the hands of unstable foreign regimes, and
cause widespread environmental degradation.
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The Critical Role
of Transportation Energy:
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The past two years saw fluctuating oil
prices reach $140/barrel, driving home America’s vulnerability to
the supply and price of transportation energy, but this is not the
whole story. Consider the following:
Oil
Dependence. Our economy is completely dependent on
petroleum fuels, with 96 percent of the nation’s vehicles (cars,
trucks, planes, boats and trains) burning oil as the primary fuel
source.[i]
Rapidly
Increasing Global Demand. Between 1980 and 2000 total
world population grew from 4.4 billion to 6 billion. By 2015, at
least one billion more people will be added, increasing global
population to over 7 billion.[ii]
Widespread
Environmental Impacts. In the United States, the
oil-based transportation system is responsible for roughly
one-third of our global warming pollution and more than half of the
total smog forming emissions.[iii]
Energy
Security. In August 2009, the U.S. imported 60
percent of its oil, or 355 million barrels, sending approximately
$25 billion—or $564,201 per minute—to foreign governments, many of
which are unstable or hostile to U.S. interests.[iv]
Just one of these factors provides
rationale enough to warrant immediate change in energy
policy. Given that transportation energy directly impacts our
economic vitality, environmental health and national security, the
need for policy change has never been more pronounced.
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