With the noxious mix of oil and natural gas continuing to spew from the BP Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico, an emerging, onshore source of natural gas is raising expectations of energy independence, improved security and reduced emissions. Last week, I took a look at the upsides, downsides and geopolitical implications of shale gas for ISN Security Watch.
I interview Matthew Hulbert, a senior researcher and energy expert at the Center for Security Studies in Zürich, Switzerland, who explains that a perfect storm of rapidly expanding US shale gas production during the past five years and reduced demand due to the Great Recession has crowded out US natural gas imports and flooded the other large consumer markets, Europe and China, with cheap supplies. Will the arrangement persist?
Shale Gas: Eureka or False Dawn?, 25 June 2010
Comments
Where's the vision for the future here?
We need to be moving AWAY from fossil fuels as much as possible.
And I say this as one who used to work in the oil industry.
Solar is the future. Cars. Houses. Small businesses.
They can all run off solar power with present day technologies.
But not until we send the energy lobbyists in Washington packing...
Had we moved in this direction 30 years ago, we wouldn't have that mess in the Gulf of Mexico now.
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