Developing Energy independence is in our stategic interests.
We did it a few years back, when whale blubber and oats (to feed the horses) were the fuels de jour.
We'll do it again, but it will take time, and the changeover, which is already beginning to occur, will be almost unnoticable: A few natural gas powered cars here, a few electric cars there, a local gas station that sells soy deisel and or E80, etc... As the alternative fuel sources come on line, petroleum prices will slide keeping profit margins razor thin until someone makes some sort of breakthrough leap in technology.
Capitalism at its finest.