Are Wyoming’s industry and political leaders talking about the facts when they say that Obama and Washington bureaucrats are hurting domestic energy development? You have to wonder after today’s release of Headwaters Economics’ statistical analysis, “Drilling Rig Activity Nears All-Time High”
The refrain is repeatedly made from the oil and gas and coal industries, as well as national and Wyoming politicians (mostly Republicans, to be sure), that onerous regulations are blocking us from achieving greater energy independence. But what emerges from the new analysis tells a different and evolving story.
In fact, oil and natural gas drilling in the United States has returned to pre-recession levels.…