China has gone all out to avoid a repeat of last winter’s crippling gas shortages. The early verdict: so far, so good. China’s gas needs peak for its so-called winter heating season. It’s a time of surging demand and firmer prices as the nation seeks to curb its reliance on dirty coal. The difference so far this year — none of the widespread shortages that froze northern cities as early as November, and forced the government to allow some parts to revert to coal. Milder weather is surely helping. But so has better preparation, smarter policy and improved infrastructure. Demonstrating reliable supply of the cleaner-burning fuel would be a victory for Beijing, which is trying to quell complaints about urban air pollution without the embarrassing criticisms of last winter’s effort. It would also burnish the credentials — and profits — of the companies leading China’s switch to gas. “Better […]