Fuel, which, no matter how energy independent we become, empowers other dysfunctional states about which we should be equally concerned. Because oil too is fungible - there’s a certain amount of oil in the world, and countries not getting it from us as we fill our needs, will fill their needs from others.

The right approach is to develop diverse sources for needed raw materials and diversify production capacity away from China (for things like wind turbines and solar panels). As well as taking further advantage of current generation nuclear reactors, which are not three mile island or even Fukushima.

Using this to remain addicted to fossil fuels empowers natural resource dependent states, which are always dysfunctional, and continues all the environmental hazards associated with them even if you completely reject climate change theories, which is itself irrational.