Mehnis, it is not THE United States. It is the government of the United States.
There are many people in the US that would like to see alternative energy used. Sadly, the oil lobby is too strong to let that happen. So you see, just like in many other countries, a lot are at the mercy, or under the control ,of a few.
Of course, now you will say "but there is democracy! Why do the people let this happen?" Simple, there are no real choices.