The natural gas and oil industry is critical to Wyoming’s post-pandemic recovery

(The following statement is from the Petroleum Association of Wyoming’s president, Pete Obermueller. For the full “Energy Builds America” report, visit https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/american-energy/energy-builds-america-jobs-economy-environment-all-50-states.) “This analysis underscores the importance of the natural-gas- and oil-industry, for the post-pandemic economic recovery here in Wyoming. Pre-pandemic, the industry supported nearly 70-thousand Wyoming jobs, according to the study; that’s 16-and-a-half-percent of the state’s overall employment. And, it means that, in good times, Wyoming ranks among the top states, for total economic contributions by the industry. Thousands of Wyoming workers rely on the industry for wages; in fact, the natural-gas- and oil-industry contributed over 25-percent of the state’s total labor-income, in 2019. That’s astounding. “It’s clear that the natural-gas- and oil-industry is a critical part of Wyoming’s economic and fiscal future; it offers support for jobs, tax-revenue, and local economies. But, the outlook depends on policies that support—rather than hinder—American energy. That’s why, at ‘P-A-W’, we’ll continue to advocate for the responsible development of our abundant energy-resources—just as we’ve safely done for years. Wyoming is stronger when America—and America’s public lands—lead the world, in energy-production.”