US Oil Addiction a 'National Security Crisis in the Making'

"In an uncharacteristic move, the security experts sought input from groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council, which have long lobbied for more fuel-efficient cars. 'It's strange bedfellows but this is actually the real American majority,' said Nicole St. Clair, a spokeswoman for the NRDC. 'It's common sense.' Policymakers should address rampant oil demand from gas-guzzling vehicles, and stop trying to solve the problem by opening land like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, she said. The letter urged the government to encourage car makers to design vehicles from lighter materials to improve mileage. It also endorsed the use of "plug power" - hybrid vehicles that can run off internal batteries for short trips before switching to their internal-combustion engines."

The program would cost $1 billion over five years.