The price of gas must rise to a level where it is profitable and companies can make a return on their invested capital on a cash flow basis to be willing to assume the risk to exploit these resources.

FORBES: My Prediction Was Wrong: Why We Didn't Get To $8 Natural Gas

One possible hold up for the smaller stores: they do not yet have the cash flow or capital to invest in the necessary equipment to make them as successful as the larger companies.

FORBES: Top Growing Small Businesses

"The decisions we make this year about telecom policies will influence the flow of billions of dollars worth of capital, the security of thousands of jobs, the speed of the economic recovery and the legacy of America's technological leadership, " Seidenberg said in a speech last week.

FORBES: Magazine Article