Provisions of the National Energy Act (NEA) are expected to result in reduced oil import needs by 1985, increased use of fuels other than oil and gas, and more efficient and equitable use of energy in the United States. President Carter stated after congressional passage of the act, "We have declared to ourselves and the world our intent to control our use of energy, and thereby to control our own destiny as a nation." Energy Secretary Schlesinger commented, "The NEA represents an historic turning point. The era of cheap and abundant energy is recognized to be over. For the first time, energy conservation is recognized as an indispensible ingredient in national energy policy. With the NEA, we will save 2.5 to 3 million barrels a day by 1985, compared to what we would otherwise have required for an estimated balance of payments savings of approximately $14 billion in current dollars (as much as $20 billion in 1985 dollars)."