Natural gas in Europe

In the past five years the US exports of natural gas have increased 2,400 percent. Exports to Asia have increased in recent years leaving Europe at the mercy of Russia. The US has seven liquid natural gas export terminals with 4 approved and under construction. There are 15 more terminals approved but not yet under construction. The US could supply Europe so they would not be dependent on Russia. Europeans are currently paying four times more to heat their homes than are people in the US and their homes are much smaller in size. The US has a large supply from fracking where as Europe is not fracking. Europe's problem was further exacerbated by an unusual lack of wind this past year. In Germany Chancellor Merkel started shutting down nuclear plants in 2011 with the goal to have all 26 shut down by 2022. They currently have six plants operating.