Club report explores ending oil dependence
June 2010
The Sierra Club and Secure American Future have jointly issued a report outlining how the United States can end its dependence on oil. The report, Ending our Dependence on Oil, advocates linking both transportation policies and spending to reducing oil dependence, not perpetuating it.
The facts are powerful:
• The United States uses nearly 400 million gallons of gasoline every day.
• Most of the oil we use comes from foreign countries at high risk for instability; oil dependence threatens U.S. economic security.
• Our oil consumption contributes significantly to climate change which will cost Americans hundreds of billions of dollars over the coming decades.
The report urges charting a new course for transportation that cuts the connection to oil. Recent fuel economy standards for new vehicles are an important step, however, much more must be done. Even the most aggressive implementation of current goals will only make a small dent in the problem we face. Incrementalism has its place, but so does visionary leadership.
Specific actions examined in the report include:
• Continuing to tighten fuel economy standards for all vehicles,
• Developing electric vehicles,
• Investing in rail for both passengers and freight,
• Creating livable communities where transit, walking, and biking are easy,
• Using new, cleaner fuels.
To read the full report visit the Sierra Club national website (www.sierraclub.org) and type “Ending Oil Dependence” in the Search window.
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