By Renewable Energy Focus staff
The fact sheet, America’s Energy Security, from the Department of Energy (DoE) states that the US imported 11 million barrels of oil a day in 2008, and that this needs to come down to one-third by 2025.
The Department of the Interior (DoI) has found that 57% of leased onshore acres and 70% of offshore leased acres for oil and gas exploration are inactive, and the Department is now developing incentives to speed up activities.
In order to meet gas demands, the Administration is looking into natural gas extraction, but that this must be “developed safely and responsibly.”
In a speech at Georgetown University, Obama said: “We cannot keep going from shock to trance on the issue of energy security, rushing to propose action when gas prices rise, then hitting the snooze button when they fall again.”
The US is also looking to secure supplies of other liquid fuels such as biofuel.
Biofuel
One of the plans is to expand biofuels markets and to commercialize new biofuels technologies. Corn ethanol is already making a significant contribution, but there are still infrastructure challenges. Efforts are also needed to commercialize cellulosic and advanced biofuel technologies.
The Obama Administration says it has set a goal to break ground on at least four commercial-scale cellulosic or advanced biorefineries over the next two years.
Manning Feraci, Vice President of Federal Affairs at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), says: “The biodiesel industry is already posed for a record year in which we will displace nearly a billion gallons of petroleum with renewable fuel produced right here in the United States.
“We are ready and able to meet the nation’s Advanced Biofuels goals and in the process create new jobs, improve the environment and enhance the nation’s energy security.”
Clean and Renewable Energy
The Obama Administration says the US needs “to give businesses and entrepreneurs a clear signal that there will be a market for clean energy innovation.”
The already announced Clean Energy Standard (CES) aims to achieve 80% clean energy electricity by 2035 – which includes renewable energy, but also nuclear, ‘clean’ gas and ‘clean’ coal.
In the financial year 2012 Budget, the Administration has also requested doubling of funds for the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program and to double the number of Energy Innovation Hubs to advance smart grid technology, critical materials research as well as batteries and energy storage.