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That is not to say that the U.S. has achieved energy independence. It remains the world's largest importer of crude. But as reported by refdesk.com last week, the U.S. shipped more refined fuel than any other single export. A mere ten years ago, fuel wasn't even in the top twenty five exports.
Until recently, Congress fielded complaints that U.S. refineries simply could not keep up with domestic demand, hence the higher pump prices. However, domestic demand has decreased steadily since 2007, dropping a full 2 1/2 per cent in 2011.
Although refiners aren't prone to admit it, the mere fact that they are bothering to export would indicate a higher price elsewhere. It would appear that the demands of a world market serve to keep prices high, even with reduced demand here at home.
The last time the U.S. was a net fuel exporter was in 1949, under the Truman Administration when the U.S. imported 82 million barrels of fuel and exported 86 million. In 2011, an approximate total of 750 million barrels of fuel was imported and 848 million was exported.
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