FOLLOW ALONG HERE: We traveled across the state of WYOMING, where we saw up close how the Trump Admi is re-writing the rules that govern oil and gas drilling on federal lands. Interior's Zinke is helping fuel a fracking BOOM in the West @HirokoTabuchi nytimes.com/2018/10/27/cli…
States like Utah, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico have long been centers of oil and gas production on federal lands. But leasing and drilling slowed considerably toward end of Obama, as industry complained (and sued) to block rules intended to protect environment/wildlife. 
Oil & Gas industry found sympathetic listeners as soon as Trump was sworn in, as one after another Interior moved to rollback rules that might slow down drilling on federal lands, like methane rule, intended to slow climate change/protect federal $$ from being burned
Industry also wanted (AND IS GETTING) changes in rule protecting sage grouse, a bird whose population has already shrunk, as drilling disrupts the so-called laks, where male birds assemble each year to do a mating dance.
Few people probably realize just how much land the federal government controls in the West. Much of the West is in fact owned by the federal government, particularly the mineral rights, meaning the oil/gas/coal that is underneath the surface of the ground.
So WHAT DID WE FIND, as NYT traveled across Wyoming, where oil and gas drilling on federal lands is BOOMING? The land is being transformed--at a rapid pace. Drilling crews. Land cleared for pipelines. Truck traffic like a highway on what was once cattle grazing area. And more.
The Trump administration has also been in a race to lease more and more federal lands for oil and gas drilling. So much land has been put out to auction that the industry just can't take it all. Most of it is not attracting bids. But land put up for auction has skyrocketed.
Most striking thing: hillsides here in Wyoming as the sun went down, were lit up like a birthday filled with candles. Across the horizon oil/gas companies were burning off gas. Not enough pipelines to handle all the gas. So just burning it into Wyoming sky
ONE OTHER IMPACT IS VERY CLEAR: The US government, and states like Wyoming and New Mexico where this surge in drilling on federal lands is taking place, are making some BIG $$$. Billions of dollars in fact. As leasing revenue and royalties surge. Real benefit. Real money.
DATA NYT OBTAINED VIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT also shows a massive jump in OIL PRODUCTION on federal lands in the United States in the last two years. This is a big deal. Surge is being driven by places like Wyoming/NewMexico. Impressive growth.
Without question, still no shortage of beautiful landscapes in this part of Wyoming, near Douglas. It is just a landscape that is changing very fast right now. Glad we took a look.
Please read the story. And share it. And thanks to NYT subscribers for supporting this kind of work. The Trump admin is transforming federal regulations. It has impact. Here is a first-hand look, from out in Wyoming, at some of that impact. nytimes.com/2018/10/27/cli…
