The recent surge in U.S. natural gas production has led to the
creation of a many jobs and infastructure projects, like the
pipeline pictured above, and has also allowed the United States
to steadily erode it's dependence on foreign energy. "The U.S.
Natural-Gas Boom Will Transform The World" Op-Ed, Wall Street
Journal August 15, 2012 Author: John M. Deutch, International
Council Member, Belfer Center for Science and International
Affairs Two summers ago, natural gas cost $4.50 per thousand
cubic feet, which was less than half what it had cost two
summers earlier. Today the price is under $2.50, as
unconventional natural gas production has increased to 20% of
domestic supply from 5% in 2008, with 40% anticipated by 2020.
Meanwhile, North Dakota's Bakken/Three Rivers field produces
600,000 barrels a day of unconventional oil -- up from 250,000
barrels in 2010 and less than half that in 2008 -- making that
state the second-largest U.S. oil producer. With such changes
happening so fast, it's timely to consider t