It isn't that widely known, but this is a watershed in geopolitics. The world very nearly went to war over both Iraqi and Iranian threats to block oil shipments in the Persian Gulf because it actually was an existential threat to the world economy. Now, far less so.
It is amusing to note that the Green position has come into conflict with the anti-war position in this issue, which may be why we haven't heard more about it, since those two positions seem to have in common the same set of adherents, many of them in the media and in popular culture. These will not appreciate anyone pointing out this inconsistency.
How come I never seem to hear about the “POTENTIAL” amounts of oil and natural gas hiding offshore of the United States?
We have about 2000 miles of north/south shore plus the gulf.
They don’t allow drilling or exploration offshore Sillyfornia, a state which could have a balanced budget if they factored in oil revenues, now forbidden. That’s their problem.
And whether or not the President likes it, we have among the very largest COAL reserves in the world, too.
If any country on the face of the earth SHOULD be totally energy independent it is this one.