The "experts" say that the U.S. will be energy independent in five years.
As energy production of gas, based on fracking technology, increases, the U.S. could produce more than it needs. Estimates are that the new extraction techniques have added 1.7 million new jobs.
Carbon dioxide emissions are down 13 percent from 2007.

Questions:
Will the growth of the new gas industry seriously slow down new energy development?
What will be the environmental cost?

Additional question:
Will methane hydrate sources add to the North American fuel supply?

Japan has started development of their offshore hydrate deposits; The Alaskan and Arctic Canadian coasts have large reserves in similar deposits.