A recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Index of Energy Security Risk rated the U.S. as seventh and Canada as eighth among the most energy-secure nations. The 2010 report, which analyzed the world’s top 25 energy-using countries, stated that increases in shale oil and gas production have helped the U.S. to reduce its energy risk. However, achieving further North American energy security, much less obtaining true energy independence, will not be easy.

By definition, energy security assumes the protection of people, equipment and the environment from a variety of threats, ...