Europe’s policy‑made gas squeeze

Europe’s winter energy shortfall is not only caused by external shocks (LNG plant damage, Hormuz disruption) but by domestic policy decisions—capping Groningen reserves, slow permitting for new capacity, and conflicting decarbonization/nuclear politics—that left storage low and prices far above U.S. levels. The result is immediate economic pain (record diesel and gas prices), heightened political risk for governments, and constrained room for maneuver if a cold winter or further disruption occurs. — If true, it reframes the crisis from 'bad luck' to a solvable policy failure, shifting debate toward pragmatic supply investments, permitting reform, and short‑term emergency measures with political tradeoffs.