ABSTRACT
Burdensome dependence on crude oil imports is a key challenge for America’s energy policy; its principal cause is excessive consumption of refined oil products, which is mainly the result of an inefficient automotive fleet, the virtual absence of diesel-powered cars, and the complete absence of modern high-velocity trains. Addressing these challenges will require major infrastructural investment, a reality that precludes any early attainment of energy independence. Key Words: crude oil imports, energy consumption, energy independence, high-velocity trains, U.S. energy policy.
