Citing a 2011 study commissioned by the NAM, the USA Today (8/27) Editorial Board writes that the shale boom has insulated the United States from global unrest, and that the increase in natural gas has “sparked” an uptick in manufacturing after years of decline. According to the 2011 NAM study, abundant gas would produce a million manufacturing jobs by 2025. About a third of that job growth had already taken place. “It’s nearly impossible to overstate what a positive development this has been,” writes the editorial board, adding that the push for new oil and gas supplies “needs to continue. Not only does it hold down prices and add jobs,” but it also insulates the US from threats to peace coming from the Middle East and Vladimir Putin.