why is america so dependant on oil?

Question

there does't seem to be any steps being taken by the government to find alternative sources but is there anything being done by the government

Answer 1

So we probably won't do much about our oil habit. Any realistic proposal would ignite a firestorm of protest. Environmentalists would denounce more drilling. Auto companies would protest new fuel economy standards. Most important, the public would denounce a steep energy tax, even if it were introduced gradually with most proceeds rebated by lowering other taxes (as is desirable). And these unpleasant steps would merely reduce our dependence from what it would otherwise be. It's a hard case to make.

Answer 2

America is dependent on oil because it fuels our economy, hehe sorry for the pun. The government has always leaned on oil development and research and thus now that its overall limited availability has become an issue, though there is actually no way of telling how much is really left, you see these recent pushes to either find more or develop a different kind of fuel. I myself am a nuke (obviously) and therefore prefer nuclear power myself. It's cleaner, more efficient, and safer, yeah that's right its safer. We don't have that many reactors in America however because of all the red tape created by the Three Mile Island incident, and thus another cause for America's dependency. Sorry for the nuclear facts but I can't help but educate the public on nuclear energy because it's something that needs to change.

Answer 3

Because of our infrastructure. We built interstate highways that gives speedy access to wherever. After we built easy access routes and highways, people could get a job 60 or 100 miles away and drive there in about an hour and a half. Gas was pretty cheap then because oil was plentiful and easy to get out of the ground.
Nowadays, the USA and Saudi Arabia oil supplies have peaked. This means that over half the reserves are gone, and it's more expensive to get a barrel of it out of the ground.
The oil cartels have an opportunity to put a stranglehold on nations whose infrastructure is built around the black gold!
It's interesting to note that there is a country whose oil reserves have barely been tapped.....IRAQ!

Answer 4

Blame it on General Motors, Firestone and Standard Oil who in 1922 bought the largest bus line in the US and by 1946 owned 80% of the streetcars(operated on electricity) in the US, They then began systematically replacing the street cars with buses that burned diesel or gasoline. They effectively destroyed a system of mass transportation that was already operating on what we now consider "alternative fuels"

Answer 5

We value mobility, independence, and convenience to a higher degree than the rest of the world. We have a greater ability and desire, thus a disporportionate demand.

All that said, we rely on oil because no other energy source meets our needs as economically as oil. As the price of oil goes up, we will see other options become more palatable.

Answer 6

Almost Everything you Own is made from OIL.
Gas.....Plastic.....on & on.
Why do you think the Democrats stopped the Drilling for Oil in Alaska, in Government Land, and Off Shore: To Hold Us Hostage, and get Gas Prices Higher?
It will be easier for Democrats to "take over in 2008" and to turn us into a Socialist/Communist Nation.

Answer 7

America is dependent on oil due to poor leadership, special interests and oil men! There have been answers to our oil problem for well over 30 yrs., but big business runs this unregulated commodity and the American people pay the price.

Answer 8

All developed nations are, simply because current technologies are heavily based on it. It's not just energy to heat homes or run cars. Plastics, for instance, are vital for virtually any modern technology you can think of - most notably the computer you're using right now. Plastics, like gasoline, are made from crude oil. Modern fertilizers are made from petrochemicals. The list goes on.

Answer 9

watch any highway in the world and you'll know why everyone is dependant on oil. There are many alternatives being looked at such as the use of animal fat as fuel!

Answer 10

US makes up 4% of the worlds population but use 25% of the worlds oil resources.