Blog•Mar 12, 2026
Ridley: The Gas Price Shock Will Expose Britain’s Catastrophic Energy Misjudgment
The recent surge in global natural‑gas prices has laid bare Britain’s over‑reliance on imports, costing households roughly three times what Americans pay. The author argues that a decade‑old decision to ban on‑shore shale fracking has left the UK vulnerable, missing an opportunity to produce up to 40 billion cubic metres of gas annually. Had shale development proceeded, the country could approach self‑sufficiency, generate export revenues and cut carbon emissions. The piece frames the gas‑price shock as a direct consequence of that policy misstep.
By Rational Optimist Society
