Reducing the dependence on oil and increasing energy security involves more than just increasing production, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said oil production by 2020 should pass the 9 million barrel per day mark and shale production should account for more than 80 percent of the increase from U.S. reserves. U.S. policymakers said increased production would help wean the U.S. economy off foreign imports. Moniz in a 32-page report outlining the department’s strategic plan said the U.S. economy needs a break from oil. “Although domestic oil production has increased to the extent that in 2012 net imports of petroleum fell to their lowest level in nearly 20 years, we must continue our efforts to develop alternative fuels and vehicles; as we are far from […]