The Delusions of “Energy Independence”

Whether it's financial independence, political independence, the Declaration of Independence, or grilling hotdogs on Independence Day, America's self-image is inextricably bound to the concepts of freedom and autonomy.The promises laid out by the Declaration-life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness-are the shared faith and birthright of all Americans.Alas, the Founding Fathers didn't write much about gasoline.Nevertheless, over the past 30 years or so-and particularly over the past three or four years-American politicians have been talking as though Thomas Jefferson himself warned about the dangers of imported crude oil.Every U.S. president since Richard Nixon has extolled the need for energy independence.In 1974, Nixon promised it could be achieved within six years. 1 In 1975, Gerald Ford promised it in ten. 2 In 1977, Jimmy Carter warned Americans that the world's supply of oil would begin running out within a decade or so and that the energy crisis that was then facing America was "the moral equivalent of war." 3 "Energy independence" has since become a prized bit of meaningful-sounding rhetoric that can be tossed out by candidates and political operatives eager to appeal to the broadest cross-section of voters.When the U.S. achieves energy independence, goes the reasoning, America will be a self-sufficient Valhalla, with lots of well-paying manufacturing jobs that will come from producing new energy technologies.Farmers will grow fat, rich, and happy by growing acre upon acre of corn and other plants that can be turned into oil-replacing ethanol.When America arrives at the promised land of milk, honey, and super-cheap motor fuel, then U.S. soldiers will never again need visit the Persian Gulf, except, perhaps, on vacation.With energy independence, America can finally dictate terms to those rascally Arab sheikhs from troublesome countries.Energy independence will mean a thriving economy, a positive balance of trade, and a stronger, better America.The appeal of this vision of energy autarky has grown dramatically since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.During the 2008 presidential campaign, it became a mantra for the candidates seeking the White House.Both John McCain and Barack Obama frequently used the phrase on the campaign trail.For instance McCain told voters in Iowa, "We need energy independence.