We could be today. If we uncap all our oil wells, drill in ANWR, the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of California.
Yes, our domestic crude is not as "sweet" as Arabian oil and it costs more to refine and results in more pollution.
But, we would be energy independent, for as long as 300 years according to some estimates.
Certainly more than long enough to develop and even discover new energy technologies.
I'm under the distinct impression that we already have the means to develop sufficient oil and non-oil sources of energy to render us independent. The entire GOP should make this a major issue for '02 and '04 elections. For once in their life go public and tell it like it really is.