European industries and some European governments have recently begun to recognise that the unconventional gas revolution is no longer confined to North America, but is spreading globally. The energy revolution is having a big impact on the overall economic competitiveness of the US economy and industries towards rivals in Asia and Europe. Cheap shale gas also calls into question the renewable energy policies of the EU, particularly those of Germany. Foreign investments in European petrochemical companies are already shifting from Europe to the US. --Frank Umbach, Geopolitical Information Service, 19 March 2013