Natural gas from shale can be the energy bridge toward a greener future while at the same providing economic stimulus, the British government said. The British government estimates shale basins in the country may hold more than 1.3 quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas, a level the government said could help an economy with natural gas imports on pace to increase from 45 percent of demand in 2011 to 76 percent by 2030. Andrea Leadsom, minister of state at Department of Energy and Climate, said a shale gas industry would help ensure energy security and potentially add 65,000 new jobs to the British economy. “Operators will pay communities $150,000 for each exploration well site plus 1 percent of […]