The United States had 20 years to rectify this issue, to decrease the amount of oil it uses in absolute terms. Oil prices were dirt cheap not ten years ago, and instead of making oil less profitable by also decreasing the amount of oil the American economy used they increased dramatically how much oil was used to offset the lower cost of oil. Oil companies in the US last year in revenues made about $1 trillion dollars, they have a disproportionate influence in the economy and consequently in the government. In the 90s, when oil was cheap US consumption exploded...where was Clinton? The SUV boom occurred, and only now is it coming to an end.

Indeed, when oil was at all time lows in 1998-1999 the increase in US oil consumption was 3.2% (source: EIA) in 1999. While looking at a country like Germany, which has a active government in greening the economy, it has reduced oil consumption AND CO2 emissions within the context of a growing economy, and the world's most competitive economy:

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