8月2号以前、美国人看不出有什么理由要担心能源或中东问题。但伊拉克的突然入侵科威特,使我们意识到中东政治的极其不稳定性及石油消费的一半依赖进口的不明智。我们对外国石油的严重依赖状况因另一有关的能源问题而加重,这就是电力需求的增长一直超过新的供应的增加。在美国的一些地区可靠稳定的供应正在受到损害,我们正使用更多的进口石油来补充电力。在我们采取某些措施以前,是否会发生一场全面危机、诸如广大地区停电或石油供应突然中断? 美国对能源危机问题如此脆弱的一个原因就是缺少一项连贯、长远的能源政策。布什总统已经要求能源部制定一项国家能源战略,此战略“必须平衡:…我们对合理价格能源的日益增长的需求,我们对建立一种更安全和更有益的环境的义务,我们对维持一种最佳经济的 Before August 2, Americans did not see any reason to worry about energy or the Middle East. However, Iraq’s sudden invasion of Kuwait made us aware of the extreme instability in Middle East politics and the ill-advised import of half of oil consumption. Our heavy reliance on foreign oil has been exacerbated by another related energy problem, which is that the growth in electricity demand has consistently exceeded the increase in new supplies. Reliable and stable supplies in some parts of the United States are being damaged, and we are using more imported oil to supplement our electricity. Before we take certain measures, will there be a full-scale crisis, such as power outages in the vast regions or sudden interruption of oil supply? One reason why the United States is so vulnerable to the energy crisis is the lack of a coherent, long-term energy policy. President Bush has asked the Department of Energy to formulate a national energy strategy. This strategy "must balance: ... we have a growing demand for reasonable prices for energy, and we have an obligation to build a safer and more conducive environment. We are committed to maintaining a The best economic