UPI Energy Watch

Sweden seeks oil independence, gets U.S. praise

With the creation of the newly established National Commission on Oil, Sweden — along with a number of other European nations — hopes to find an avenue to achieve its independence from oil by 2020.

The government held a hearing Tuesday to address petroleum challenges and use of energy from renewables.

“As the founding co-chairmen of the Peak Oil Caucus of the United States House of Representatives, we are writing to commend you and the government of Sweden for the December 13, 2005 hearing about peak oil by the newly established National Commission on Oil Independence,” according to a letter obtain by United Press International from Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD, and Tom Udall, D-NM, to Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson late Monday.
“The National Commission on Oil Independence appointed by the government of Sweden is creating a model effort for the world in partnership with the private sector,” the two congressmen wrote. “These types of partnerships will lead to greater innovation in energy efficiency and alternatives to contribute to achieving the goal of energy independence from oil.”

One of the commission members, Volvo Trucks, partnered with American businesses such as Maryland-based Mack Truck, Inc., developer of the gas electric hybrid powertrain and deliverer of a prototype refueler to the U.S. Air Force, Congressman Bartlett’s office told UPI.

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UPI