This Christian Science Monitor editorial from Thursday frames the natural gas question well, and I think it reaches the correct conclusion:

Clearly, some very prudent short-term steps emphasizing conservation are needed. In the long term, however, the nation must have a serious debate on energy sources and supply, with all types of energy – coal, oil, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, and others – on the table.

The sooner we start thinking about our energy strategies using portfolio diversification, the more stable and less volatile both supplies and prices will be. I would add to their list that we have to have a serious debate over the role of open, free electricity markets in providing that short-term conservation, which will lead to lower fuel use and less infrastructure investment, through an active demand side.