Resources: US to become a top producer of oil in the next 5 years? China and global coal consumption.

The US is already a top oil producer.  We just don't have the huge proven reserves of other countries, like Iran or Saudi Arabia.  That being said, our technology is indeed increasing our reserves, both potential and proven.  The question is, at what point will our technology run out, and we will be left with stones from which we can get no lifelblood for a fossil-fuel economy.  And, at what cost to our environment at teh regional and global scale.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/business/energy-environment/report-sees-us-as-top-oil-producer-in-5-years.html

China and global use of coal:
http://science.time.com/2013/01/29/the-scariest-environmental-fact-in-the-world/?xid=newsletter-weekly