Industry News
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Industry Outlook
The United States has become increasingly dependent on imports to meet its growing petroleum needs. In 2005, over 65 percent of U.S. crude oil and petroleum products were supplied by imports, while natural gas imports accounted for 20 percent of U.S. total natural gas consumption. In recent years, the demand for petroleum and natural gas has been escalating globally as economies of developing countries are growing rapidly, mounting pressure on world energy markets and prices. Crude oil prices rose sharply in 2008 to almost $150 per barrel and then decreased dramatically (for the time being), exacting high costs for consumers, industry, and nations as a whole. Such volatility in petroleum prices combined with the extensive U.S. reliance on fossil fuels is testing the limits of our nation’s economic, environmental, and homeland security.
A more robust portfolio of domestically produced feedstocks for our nation’s energy and chemical supply must be found. Biomass resources are sustainable and offer an environmentally friendly feedstock which can contribute to diversifying our energy portfolio. Electricity, transportation fuels, chemicals, and materials currently produced from petroleum and natural gas can instead be produced from biomass resources. These resources include crops and trees; industrial, municipal and forestry residue; and byproducts from production processes in the agricultural, forest products, and pulp and paper industries. This prospect holds great promise for our economy and is critical for our strategic security.
World oil demand continues to increase with the U.S. leading the way. Continued economic expansion in populous countries such as China and India is further fueling this demand. Under President Obama the United States will make significant investments to diversify its portfolio of energy resources. Geographically distributed Biotricity Power Stations could produce a steady flow of biopower into the U.S. economy, reducing some of our reliance on petroleum imports and reducing economic insecurity from threats, both domestic and abroad.
