The Biden administration is expected to be sued over its ban on new oil and gas leasing on federal land. In top fossil fuel states like Wyoming, cuts to services and mass layoffs were already looming.
A Wyoming County Predicts ‘Total Economic Devastation’ From Biden Leasing Ban
By Kirk Siegler
January 28, 2021
After 15 years working in western oil patches, Antonio Magana finally struck out on his own, starting a small oil and gas well servicing company.
Then the pandemic hit.
Demand tanked and production ground nearly to a halt here in Wyoming’s Jonah Field. Magana and his skeleton staff are down to working just three days a week.
“Right now, not much going on, you know, we’ve been working little hours,” Magana says. “A lot of people lost their jobs a month ago, a lot of people.”
A Wyoming County Predicts Total Economic Devastation From Biden Leasing Ban
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A sign in the Jonah Field advertises cheap rates at a deserted motel built for oil and gas workers.
Kirk Siegler / NPR
After 15 years working in western oil patches, Antonio Magana finally struck out on his own, starting a small oil and gas well servicing company.
Then the pandemic hit.
Demand tanked and production ground nearly to a halt here in Wyoming s Jonah Field. Magana and his skeleton staff are down to working just three days a week. Right now, not much going on, you know, we ve been working little hours, Magana says. A lot of people lost their jobs a month ago, a lot of people.