Congressional Briefing - May 11, 2009

Imported Oil and U.S. National Security

man carrying barrel of oil

Presenter:

Keith Crane
Director, Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program, RAND Corporation

Speakers:

Jonathan Elkind
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

John Sheehan
General (ret.), United States Marine Corps

Frederick C. Smith
Vice President, Institute for 21st Century Energy,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Date:

Monday, May 11, 2009

Time:

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location:

Room 268 Capitol Visitor Center
North Congressional Meeting Room
Washington, D.C.
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About the Program

The RAND Corporation has evaluated commonly suggested links between oil imports and U.S. national security, and assessed the economic, political, and military costs and benefits of potential policies to address threats to U.S. national security associated with imported oil. In this discussion, we highlight some of the myths associated with this topic, such as the efficacy of oil embargoes or other uses of the "oil weapon." We also evaluate policy options to mitigate the major risks to U.S. national security, primarily those to the U.S. economy, posed by imported oil. The most important policy options involve

  • mitigating disruptions in supply
  • expanding domestic sources of supply
  • reducing oil consumption.

Please join us to hear recommendations for improving U.S. policies affecting imported oil and national security and comments about the new study from this panel of experts.

RAND Office of Congressional Relations

For more than 60 years, RAND has provided policymakers with independent, objective research and analysis on key national security, domestic and international issues. RAND work helps members of Congress and their staffs make better-informed decisions on the nation's pressing challenges. The Office of Congressional Relations offers a number of products and services to educate, inform, and facilitate congressional policymakers' access to RAND work, including coordinating congressional testimony by RAND experts, organizing briefings and meetings, synthesizing RAND work into topical e-newsletters and providing reports and publications to congressional offices. For more information, visit the Office of Congressional Relations webpage, contact ocr@rand.org or call (703) 413-1100 x5395.

Further Inquiries

For further information about this event, contact the Office of Congressional Relations at ocr@rand.org or call (703) 413-1100 x5395.