1. Introduction: shale gas, energy security and comparative public policy 2. The policy context: European energy security and Russian import dependence 3. The analytical context: policy regimes and the social license 4. The stalling front runner: Poland 5. The nay-sayer: Bulgaria 6. A no with options: Romania 7. The comparative public policy of shale gas in Eastern Europe 8. Conclusion: shale gas, technology transfer and energy security