Natural gas satisfies approximately one-third of the nation’s energy requirements, but domestic gas reserves are declining because the volume being consumed exceeds the quantity being discovered. Unrealistically low regulated wellhead prices have stimulated demand while eliminating the economic incentives needed to compensate for the risks associated with exploration. Natural gas is a particularly important energy resource because it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels. Increased use of natural gas by industry for electric power generation and as a transportation fuel could substantially improve air quality. However, current supply limitations foreclose such possibilities. Other methods of securing additional supplies of natural gas include pipeline imports from Canada and Alaska and imports of liquefied natural gas from Alaska and foreign sources. Coal gasification technology is expected to supplement supply by 1980. These alternatives are costly and most will not be available for a number of years. Nuclear explosive stimulation technology is capable of making a significant and needed contribution to natural gas supply if supported by federal planning and funding.