The Nation : Hodel Sees Energy Crisis

The American Petroleum Institute said U.S. oil production fell by almost 700,000 barrels in January from levels a year ago, and Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel warned the United States is headed for another energy crisis. In the face of declining domestic production, U.S. oil demand shot up 4.1% in January and crude imports soared by 30.6%, the oil industry trade group said. Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, Hodel said the United States must change its ways or face an almost inevitable energy crunch within two to five years because of “the dramatic drop in production of American oil.”