Obama touts energy achievements as gasoline prices climb again

The White House on Monday sought to rebut critics of its energy policies by claiming "historic achievements" in reducing oil imports, but did not say whether President Barack Obama will take new steps to counter rising gasoline prices.

In a 20-page, one-year progress report on his energy strategy, the White House stressed, as Obama has done in recent speeches, that oil production is at its highest levels in eight years and that natural gas production has reached a new peak.

It also touted lower net oil imports of 1 million barrels a day over the last year, about 10 percent, based on expanded production and higher-mileage cars and trucks.