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USA Independent

In 2020 the United States of America exported more energy than it imported. When our exports exceed our imports, it is a net exports and is viewed as “energy independence.” That is through the lens of oil and gas production and consumption. That represents approximately 68% of U.S. energy consumption.

A bill passed in 2015 stipulated that domestic producers could export their oil. Previously, finished products like diesel and gasoline could be exported, but not crude oil. That depressed U.S. oil prices, and oil production. That opened the incentive for shale fracking and production technologies to drive the production increases.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) tabulated U.S. energy consumption in 2019 and 2020, and determined that for both full years, counting all energy sources, we were energy independent.

Today the U.S.A has sufficient energy within the country to produce what is needed for its consumption. The internal production is available for America to be self-sufficient if it chooses to use it.

The market is still global, global production changes as does consumption. That can generate huge swings in oil prices that affect all consumers. Global disruptions are still going to spike prices and U. S. motorist and consumers will feel the pain. America cannot isolate itself from the world market. the price we is still set by global oil prices and is vulnerable to supply disruptions, wherever they occur. In that sense it is not and probably will not be “truly” energy independent.

What America can and should do is continue to increase production capability and build the pipelines from our good neighbors – Keystone pipe. That is the best thing to protect consumers.

However, the current Administration has executed orders to blocked construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and put a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The executive orders decrease production on the mainland, offshore in Alaska and the gulf. This drives up prices and reduces American security. It makes America more dependent on our adversaries’ production and constricts the global supply.

Energy is the one thing that is in the cost and price of every product and service. It is in cost to produce and deliver the food we eat, the clothes we wear, heating/air conditioning our home and buildings. We do not move without energy to go. Our military planes, ships, and vehicles run on energy. No energy, no military defense.

Wake up America. Elected those that will move us back to energy independence. Your support of Voters Matter will allow us to continue to promote freedom and educate others about our work. Make a donation today.