Introductory Remarks: Max Schulz, Senior Fellow, Center for Energy Policy and the Environment

In 1974, Richard Nixon promoted the possibility of U.S. energy independence in six years. In 1975, Gerald Ford promised it in ten. Subsequent presidential aspirants have made similar vows, and even today Barack Obama wraps his policies in the banner of moving toward energy independence. In the current political lexicon, energy independence is the cure-all for everything from global warming to terrorism.

Is energy independence actually possible? And if so, is it something we really want?

Veteran journalist Robert Bryce answers both questions with a resounding no. Bryce argues forcefully that energy independence is neither desirable nor doable.

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