Self-Sufficiency in Energy - A National Policy

The basic question is whether the United States should follow a policy of being self-sufficient in energy resources. The supplies of domestic resources were examined along with projections for energy needs. In addition, future technology and impact of government regulation and environmental concern were assessed for their contribution to energy supply and demand. The projected energy balance sheet was reviewed in light of conditions of National Security to formulate policy recommendations. Data was gathered using literature search. The conclusion was that the United States is not now and cannot be self-sufficient in energy before 2000 however, the long term policy must be self-sufficiency. To achieve this, the United States should take action to establish a single policy coordinating body for energy, abolish present oil import quota system, implement selected measures to conserve energy, diversify and increase government support of energy research, and in the interim, exploit a diversity of foreign sources.