The shape of the world鈥檚 energy landscape is changing. According to the International Energy Agency, the by 2017, as well as unseat Russia as the leading producer of natural gas within three years. The IAE鈥檚 annual World Energy Outlook cites unconventional (and controversial) technologies such as hydraulic fracking and deepwater drilling as a large part of America鈥檚 鈥渆nergy renaissance.鈥 According to the IAE鈥檚 chief economist, Faith Birol, U.S. oil imports are on track to fall from 10 million barrels per day to four million. While increased domestic production accounts for roughly 55 percent of the reduction, Birol also credits better federal fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks with making up the other half. The report concluded that the U.S., which imports about 20 percent of its energy now, could become self-sufficient by 2035.
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