The lures (and limits) of natural gas

From Boston to St. Petersburg, natural gas is changing the way the world thinks of energy. But as gas goes global, will Russia become the new Saudi Arabia?

A rumored 'gas OPEC' could wield the threat of a supply cutoff as a geopolitical weapon. But unlike oil, the economies of gas limits the power of producer nations.

By Drake Bennett

July 16, 2006

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HERE IN NEW ENGLAND, LNG is shorthand for controversy. For years, activists and state and local politicians have been battling energy companies interested in building liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in spots like Fall River and Outer Brewster Island. Opponents argue that the terminals, and the tankers full of flammable super-cooled natural gas that dock at them, are a threat ... (Full article: 1740 words)