'market-based' is the key here. Without competition there is no market. In the 70's when the US was NOT producing enough. Then OPEC had a 'monopoly' or at lea

'market-based' is the key here. Without competition there is no market. In the 70's when the US was NOT producing enough. Then OPEC had a 'monopoly' or at least an outsized influence. A large enough % of the market that they could dominate the price. Right now we are NOT at the 'whim' because we can produce more if we need it. IF we stopped, then we would return to being at their 'whim'. Solar, Wind, anything, is all very important for National Security. See Germany.