A New Vision of Energy Independence
Three Million Jobs. Freedom From Foreign Oil. This is what I'm talking about.

Read John Podesta's remarks at a conference in Detroit organized by the Apollo Alliance.

"Even if we were somehow able to satisfy our demand for oil from sources outside of the Persian Gulf -- say from such politically stable regions as the Caspian Basin, Nigerian, and Angolan -- the truth is that the countries of the Middle East would still have a lock on our economy.

The reason?

It's because OPEC would be able to manipulate oil prices within the United States by reducing or increasing their own production.

And the impact of oil prices changes can be catastrophic. In fact, one study (by Oak Ridge Laboratory) found that the cost to the U.S. economy from the oil market upheavals of the last 30 years was $7 trillion dollars!

That's why the real choice America is facing isn't between getting more oil abroad or producing more at home.

Neither option is going to promote a healthier environment, a better economy, or the kind of foreign policy that truly honors our values.

The real choice is between using more oil or less of it by investing in new technology, expanding conservation, and using solar energy, wind power and other renewable resources."

Read John Podesta's remarks at a conference in Detroit organized by the Apollo Alliance.