US consumption is falling by the week due to people switching over to mass transit and scooters. I think before 2050 the U.S. will be near energy dependent (U.S. produces more oil than anyone else, relies on imports for whatever it can't supply)
The real problem is Europe, China, and Japan. They have little to no oil reserves. Even if they cut consumption by 90% they still need that 10% from somewhere. Oil will hit $200 a barrel by 2010 and things are going to start to get bad in countries that have no natural oil reserves.
The solution isn't hybrids or electric either, batteries on those things don't last more than a year. IMO we need fuel cells (which would require mass construction of Nuclear plants to supply the electricity for the hydrolysis).
