Strategic and Critical Materials and Strategic Petroleum

Two important issues almost never even thought about. The Development of Oil Shales as a Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the reductions (currently 80% since 1995) of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpile.

I believe the Oil Shales should be developed (however the legislation is in review and has been since May 2005) and I believe the Stockpile should not be reduced (it is sold off and the profit goes to various Military programs or to the General Fund of the Treasury).

I believe it is crucial the US maintain a significant (not merely functional) stockpile of all critical materials (which include industrial diamonds, tungsten, acids, batteries...etc).