We had plenty of warning 30 years ago. The Dept of Energy was formed to develop alternatives, but ended up managing the military nukes. Ten years will do little and we will be descending into darkness, slowly if we're lucky.
We either find a way to lower the cost of oil and gas in this nation, or you’re right we will descend into darkness. We can lower prices in the short term, over the next 2 or 3 years, by building more refinaries, exploring and drilling.
My hope is that Americans love their stuff, their xbox’s and toys more than they’ll buy into the myth that government can solve our energy needs. For once the government steps in and tries to run the oil industry, prices will explode. Disposable incomes will drop and folks won’t be able to afford Halo 4 or 5.