Foreword
Early in the twenty-first century, oil has come to be viewed as more than just a commodity — Americans now associate it with terrorism, corporate greed, and global warming. It has also become a volatile political issue. When the 110th Congress adjourned recently for its August recess, it left unresolved a range of matters affecting America’s energy future, including rising gasoline prices, offshore drilling and exploration, and development and use of alternative fuels.Although the United States makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s population, it consumes 25 percent of the oil; motor gasoline represents 44 percent of total…
