The U.S. will become the world’s top producer of oil within five years, a net exporter of the fuel around 2030 and nearly self-sufficient in energy by 2035, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.
It’s a bold set of predictions for a nation that currently imports some 20% of its energy needs.
Recently, however, an “energy renaissance” in the U.S. has caused a boost in oil, shale gas and bio-energy production due to new technologies such as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fuel efficiency has improved in the transportation sector. The clean energy industry has seen an influx of solar and wind efforts.
In the meantime, Leonardo Di Caprio is leading a campaign against Fracking using bogus data; the EPA is regulating coal-powered electrical plants out of business, resulting in the coal companies shutting down operations or laying off hundreds; oil rich federal lands are being declared off limits due to unproven ‘habitat endangerment’.
Any energy production is going to have to be done in spite of the U.S. government, not due to it.
Jim Elliott
Florida
The worst that can happen is for government to get involved with business.
Fracking has been suspended off the NE coast of England following earth tremors. Could be the cause; on the other hand, earth tremors just plain happen.