Despite massive subsidies and government-guaranteed markets for wind, solar, ethanol, and other politically-favored energy sources, oil, coal, and natural gas production all increased in the United States in 2011
Energy in the United States made some significant achievements in 2011 that may be a turning point for future in-roads, particularly relating to oil and natural gas production. Oil production in 2011 was at its highest level in 8 years, thanks to state and private lands where the bulk of production is occurring. Natural gas production exceeded all past production highs. Oil and natural gas imports were at a 12 and 13 year low, respectively. What is making these achievements possible is technology (hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling) that has made shale oil and shale natural gas drilling and production economic.
