US Imports 1M Fewer Barrels of Oil Daily

White House report says we're closer to achieving energy security goals
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 12, 2012 9:41 AM CDT
US Imports 1M Fewer Barrels of Oil Daily
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives for a speech on the economy, Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Rolls Royce aircraft engine part production plant in Prince George , Va.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The US is well on its way toward achieving President Obama's energy security goals as laid out a year ago, says an administration report out today. The White House is looking to cut oil imports by a third over the next decade, boost domestic oil and natural gas production, and promote clean energy, Politico notes. To that end, the past year saw a million fewer barrels of oil imported per day, according to the report; the US currently imports 45% of its petroleum, compared to 57% in 2008, the Los Angeles Times notes.

US crude oil production is higher than it's been since 2003. Republicans, however, attribute production increases to George W. Bush's policies—an assertion that clashes with Republican claims that Obama has put the brakes on domestic oil production, Politico points out. The report also points to doubled domestic clean energy capacity since 2008 and tougher vehicle fuel standards. Echoing earlier Obama comments, the report reminds readers that "there are no quick fixes to this challenge." (More energy security stories.)

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