Natural Gas: An Increasingly Important Option for U.S. Energy Generation?

National Public Radio broadcast a fascinating three-part series last week about the role of natural gas in the U.S. energy portfolio. Among the questions addressed were whether natural gas could be a "transition" fuel as the economy moves to a more renewables-based economy and why natural gas was given so little attention -- in fact almost none -- in the recently passed U.S. House measure known as the Waxman-Markey energy bill.

For those interested in where gas stands in the context of U.S. energy policy, you will want to check out these broadcasts: "Rediscovering Natural Gas by Hitting Rock Bottom" (Part 1, Sept. 22, 2009); "Who's Looking at Natural Gas Now? Big Oil" (Part 2, Sept. 23, 2009); and "With Little Clout, Natural Gas Lobby Strikes Out" (Part 3, Sept. 24, 2009).

If these stories interest you -- and anyone interested in America's energy challenges should be interested in a fuel that has been deemed "the cleanest of all fossil fuels" by Christopher Flavin at the Worldwatch Institute -- also check out a new U.S. Department of Energy publication called "Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer."

Also, have a look at Mr. Flavin's recent commentary "The New Case for Natural Gas."