What does oil dependence mean for the American economy and U.S. workers?
The carbon economy is not working for America’s working families. Our oil addiction needlessly worsens our trade deficit while putting workers at risk of losing their jobs. In the past 30 years, U.S. consumers have transferred trillions of dollars to oil-exporting countries. By 2020, our importation of oil is expected to rise to more than 60 percent, increasing our trade deficit. Drivers feel the economic burden of their old-fashioned vehicles every time they go to the pump. Each year consumers spend $186 billion on gasoline for their cars and trucks. A fleet of automobiles that takes advantage of hybrid and other workable technologies could reach 60 mpg. This would save individuals an average of $5,500 in fuel during the lifetime of the vehicle. Improving our cars’ fuel efficiency would be a victory for families’ overstretched budgets. It would also be a victory for American workers. The United States lost more than 10 percent of its manufacturing jobs during the last four years. Duri
