The US Is Not ‘Energy Independent,’ Despite Trump’s Claims

But Texas’ crude oil production would cushion the effects of potential Iranian attacks on Mideast oil infrastructure.

By Andrew SchneiderJanuary 13, 2020 9:30 am, , ,

From Houston Public Media:

Iran has vowed revenge on the United States for the assassination of General Qasem Solemani. In the past, Iran has responded to attacks by targeting oil infrastructure and tankers around the Persian Gulf. So, just how vulnerable is Texas, and Houston specifically, to Iranian retaliation?

When President Donald Trump addressed the nation on the potential for conflict with Iran last Wednesday, he said this: “Over the last three years, under my leadership, our economy is stronger than ever before, and America has achieved energy independence.”

Trump said that has changed America’s strategic priorities. “We are independent,” Trump said, “and we do not need Middle East oil.”

“Well, he’s incorrect,” said economist Edward Hirs, energy fellow at the University of Houston. “We are not energy independent. We consume roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil each day. We only produce about 12.5 million barrels of crude oil each day.”

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