and then they speak out of their ass in fighting other alternative energy sources.

One way to become independent in a hurry is to alienate Arabs and to end unholy alliances with Venezuela and Nigeria. That leaves Canada and Mexico as top suppliers and would probably end any need for tanker ships except those moving along the northwest coast. In the short term, that would mean drastic reductions in consumption or some very significant increases in what quantities Canada and Mexico supply. It was more than interesting to note the recent announcement of Mexico discovering a huge deposit off their western coast.

Any supplier shift or change in types of fuel without a change in our gluttony would be a real shame. That gluttony will ensure that we remain dependent. The only question is upon whom.

It would seem that it is not a good idea to create a small group of obscenely wealthy Arab royals, who may be or become beholden to radical Islam. I wouldn't encourage corruption in Nigeria or communist dictators in Venezuela either.

If Iran starts a shooting war in the Persian Gulf, we had better have a plan B for oil supplies and oil prices in any case. Raping Alaskan wilderness is not the answer, certainly not sufficient to make the problem go away. The squawking is because Alaskans want to have an oil industry. I am not sure why that is not simply their choice.