The Only Way to Reduce Our Vulnerability to Spikes in Gas Prices is to Use Less of it

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Apr 17, 2012, 07:00 ET

America's dependence on oil, regardless of whether it is produced here at home or imported from abroad, is a serious threat to our national security

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the American Security Project released a perspectives paper about the nation's soaring gasoline prices. The paper underscored that the price of gas is intimately interconnected with crude oil prices, which are set by global markets. America cannot look for short-term solutions to what is a clear long-term problem.

The paper cautioned against hasty responses like banning speculation or releasing oil from the strategic petroleum reserves may give a short term reduction in prices at the pump, they will not solve the problem. America is critically dependent upon petroleum products for its economic well-being and the only solutions are long-term methods to reduce the amount of oil we use across the country.

Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.), CEO of the American Security Project said:

"America's dependence on oil, regardless of whether it is produced here at home or imported from abroad, is a serious threat to our national security. The recent spike in oil prices is a symptom of a deeper sickness. This is a long term problem that requires long term solutions."

Andrew Holland, ASP's Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate Policy said:

"So long as we depend upon oil for virtually all our transportation needs, we will remain vulnerable to extreme spikes in oil prices, like we're seeing now. The price of oil is not in America's control, regardless of how much we drill here."

He went on to say: "The only solution is to use less oil. Luckily, America can do this; we're developing and commercializing the technology now that can solve this problem. Next generation biofuels, new electric vehicles, and increased fuel efficiency are succeeding in reducing America's dependence on oil. We need to sustain and accelerate these trends so that the next global price spike goes unnoticed."

Resources: You can find CAUSE AND EFFECT: U.S. GASOLINE PRICES here.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT
The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges.

For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org.

SOURCE American Security Project