Washington, D.C.—In response to the evolving diplomatic situation with Saudi Arabia, during which the Kingdom referenced its outsized role in oil production, Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) President and CEO Robbie Diamond made the following statement:

“Saudi Arabia’s threat to weaponize oil and use its leverage to bully the U.S. and destabilize the global economy demonstrates the Faustian bargain we have all been living with for 45 years by being dependent on oil for transportation in a global, mobile economy with little alternative fuel choices.  Market watchers are reminding us that the Kingdom has the ability to send oil prices to $150 to $200—even if it is not acted upon, the fact that Saudi Arabia’s threat is credible should be sounding alarm bells in Washington that our oil dependence continues to constrain our foreign policy and undermine our economic sovereignty.”

About Securing America’s Future Energy

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Near-total dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector undermines the nation’s economic and national security, and constrains U.S. foreign policy. To combat these threats, SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and transportation sector innovations including electric vehicles, natural gas trucks, and autonomous vehicles. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway (Ret), 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
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