Shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale rock formations typically located 2,000-7,000 feet underground. Shale gas production has significantly increased in the United States since 2000, providing 20% of domestic natural gas production by 2010. The document predicts that 46% of US natural gas will come from shale gas deposits by 2035 due to the large amount of untapped shale gas resources estimated at 482 trillion cubic feet. Shale gas is an important source of cleaner burning energy that provides economic benefits through jobs, tax revenue, and landowner payments.