According to NPR, “Energy independence does not mean cheaper gasoline.” It doesn’t even mean that prices are more stable.” That sentiment is contrary to what many American’s think of when they think energy independence. In the past, energy independence meant cheaper gas, more stable prices and loosening the grip of The Middle East over our energy policy.

NPR Reporter, David Kastenbaum examined one government that is truly energy independent, Canada. Kastenbaum called Stephen Gordon, a professor of economics at Universite’ Laval in Quebec City.

Gordon said energy independence isn’t that ‘big a deal’.

Kastenbaum then called a Canadian gas station and asked for the price of gas. After converting the measurements and adjusting for taxes, Kastenbaum found that what Canadians pay is equivalent to American’s paying $4 a gallon.

Listen to the story:

The reason? Oil is a world market. There’s only one price for oil and that’s the price the entire world pays.

What does this mean for natural gas? Here’s America’s recent natural gas prices.

Unlike oil, there’s no tradable global market for natural gas, therefore prices vary across the world.

Expect America’s natural gas to remain very cheap into the foreseable future (if the shale gas industry produces as much gas as it’s expecting).