Maybe the best thing that can happen to America right now is higher oil prices. Only with higher prices will Americans cut back on their oil usage. More importantly, higher oil prices will provide the necessary economic pressure to develop not only domestic oil production but also alternative forms of energy. We have the basic technology in place for solar heating, hydrogen fuel cells and other forms of energy production. All that is holding these technologies back is the low price of oil. Why invest in solar power when oil is so cheap and plentiful?
The United States has long been known for its inventiveness and ingenuity. I'm sure we will be amazed by just how fast we respond to a full-blown energy crisis with new energy sources and technologies.