Bush's State of the Union Energy Promises - Rhetoric vs. Reality

In every State of the Union address since 2001 President Bush has promised sweeping changes to the nation's energy policies. Unfortunately, he has failed to follow through on his pledges and that failure has undermined our economic and national security. Below is one of the many unfulfilled promises.

Rhetoric: Six Years Ago, Bush Promised That America Would Become More Energy Independent. "America must become more energy-independent, and we will." [State of the Union, 2001]

Reality: America has Become More Dependent on Foreign Oil Since Bush Became President. Today, America depends on imported oil for 66 percent of our oil consumption, compared to 58 percent when President Bush took office. America spent $236 billion on imports of oil in 2005 and spent $230.8 billion in just the first 10 months of 2006. [Energy Information Administration (EIA); U.S. Census Bureau Federal Trade Division]

Reality: America's Reliance on OPEC at Highest Level in 15 Years. "US dependence on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for its oil imports has risen to its highest level in 15 years, following Angola's arrival this week as the 12th member of the oil producers' group." [Financial Times, 1/2/07]