Reducing U.S. dependency on Middle East oil easier said than done

WASHINGTON – President Bush set a goal Tuesday night of reducing dependence on Middle East oil by 75 percent before 2025.

Bush declared that the United States would lessen its dependence on foreign oil by replacing Middle East imports with alternative fuels such as ethanol made from corn. He also pledged to boost spending on research to develop cellulose-to-ethanol technology, which uses corn stalks and even switch grass to make ethanol.

In addition, Bush called for increased research spending to accelerate development of hydrogen-powered cars and better hybrid-fuel vehicles.

Such steps will “make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past,” Bush said.

Experts questioned that.

Knight-Ridder