American dependence on oil imports grew from 24% in 1970 to 65% by the end of 2004. 
 
 At the current rate of unchecked import growth, the US would be 70% to 75% reliant on foreign oil by the middle of the next decade. 
 Transportation has the highest consumption rates, accounting for approximately 68.9% of the oil used in the United States in 2006, and 55% of oil use worldwide.