A strategy for exploiting European shale gas resources

This week, the European Parliament will devote a committee meeting to the issue of shale gas development. It places shale gas, practically unheard of as an energy source five years ago, squarely in the spotlight.

No one denies that current fossil fuel reserves are finite. What has been denied, however, is that shale gas can play an important role in filling the coming gap between our energy needs and our resources.

Proponents of renewable energy see a future in which Europe’s grid...