Akhir 25, 1432 H/March 30, 2011, SPA-- US President Barack Obama set a goal on Wednesday of reducing US oil imports by one-third in "a little more" than a decade by focusing on the development of alternative fuel and domestic oil production, dpa reported. "When I was elected to this office, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day. By a little more than a decade from now, we will have cut that by one-third," Obama said. Obama said a long-term energy plan is needed to make the United States less vulnerable to international oil markets that can cause gas prices to skyrocket in a short period of time, but he cautioned developing the strategy will be difficult and the US will continue to remain dependent on imports. "There are no quick fixes," he said. "And we will keep on being a victim to shifts in the oil market until we get serious about a long- term policy for secure, affordable energy." The average fuel price has climbed by more than a dollar per gallon from a year ago, with a spike in recent weeks prompted by the unrest in the Middle East. Obama also attributed the increase to high demand due to an improved economy. Obama said his administration will keep focusing on alternative sources of energy, like solar and wind, and biofuel sources such as ethanol. The government has approved permits for additional oil drilling following increased standards implemented after the spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year, he said.
