Sustainable Transportation Field, USA Energy Independence Category

Debra Poneman, Emcee

THE SET AMERICA FREE COALITION brings together prominent individuals and non-profit organizations concerned about the security and economic implications of America’s growing dependence on foreign oil. This coalition, organized by the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), promotes a blueprint that spells out practical ways in which real progress toward energy security can be made over the next several years.

TWO THIRDS OF U.S. OIL CONSUMPTION IS DUE TO THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR. SET AMERICA FREE believes that by spearheading a global effort to transition the transportation sector to next-generation fuels and vehicles that can utilize them, the United States can deny its adversaries the wherewithal they use to potentially harm us. Doing this will also protect our quality of life and our economy against the effects of cuts in foreign energy supplies and rising costs of oil.

Since America consumes a quarter of the world’s oil supply while holding a mere 3% of global oil reserves, it is forced to import over 60% of its oil, and this dependency is growing. Since most of the world’s oil is controlled by countries that are unstable or at odds with the United States, this dependency is a matter of national security.

The petrodollars we provide nations with radical extremists who foment hatred against the United States contribute materially to the terrorist threats we face. In time of war, it is imperative that our national expenditures on energy be redirected away from those who use them against us.

The Set America Free coalition believes that even if the underwriting of terror were not such a concern, our present dependency creates unacceptable vulnerabilities including economic implications, higher costs and of course, environmental implications.

With appropriate vision and leadership, Set America Free believes we can make major strides in a positive direction by exploiting currently available technologies and infrastructures to greatly diminish oil consumption particularly in the transportation sector.

Mr. Eyal Aronoff does background research for Set America Free policies, many of which have been implemented. Mr. Aronoff is also the co-founder and former chief technology officer of Quest Software, a well known author in the software development field, conference lecturer and keynote speaker.