Replies

The United States produces about 7 million barrels a day and is #2 in production behind the Saudis. America also has some very significant reserves that have been kept off-limits.

A plan to massively increase efficiency, liquefy coal, use bio-based resources to the greatest extent possible and tap all of the nuclear, wind and solar power available. Since that will take time, the US should tap into these final reserves as an “investment” policy to increase supply enough to make life tough for those regimes from whom we currently import oil. If the price dropped enough, many would collapse. And yes, America would have to tax gasoline to counter the demand affects of a lower price. My suggestion is for a income tax rebate at the end of the year. So the tax is paid at the pump, but given back at the end. Because you really cannot trust politicians with more money.

Yeah, its more complicated than that, but it is not impossible. Going to the moon was impossible before someone decided to challenge America to do it.

The United States has a large pool of skilled personnel, and we have access to skilled personnel throughout the world. There are several steps which could be taken.
1. Shift our electric power production to nuclear as far as possible.
2. Build plants to convert coal into petroleum and/or petroleum products.
3. Send out geophysical exploration teams throughout North America, the continental shelf, and the deep ocean to look for petroleum and natural gas deposits. Begin to exploit those which are commercially feasible at this time.
4. Begin to use other noncommercial sources of petroleum, e.g., oil shale rocks in the west, extracting more oil from existing oil fields, and the oil in clay deposits in the southeastern United States.
5. Begin the testing and use of biofuels and innovative technologies to produce them. (There is a lot of good, basic biological research required in this area.)
6. Develop feasible fission power plants.
7. Exploit the natural resources within our borders and offshore and where feasible those of the deep ocean.
8. Encourage real conservation measures. I always personally felt that motorcycles commuting should be encouraged as an example.
9. Consider using limestone (calcium carbonate) as a carbon source.
10. Turn loose some of our best and brightest minds on the problems - think the Manhattan project.
11. Pray as required.