The oil and gas industry has increased by 40 percent in the past seven years across the United States, leading to dramatic growth some areas. Duchesne County, for example, is the second fastest growing county in the U.S. compared to counties of similar size.
Boom towns are being affected in everything from air quality and housing prices, to increased population, new businesses and jobs. Our guests will include Jesse Higgins, a Licensed Couple & Family Therapist, who moved to Vernal 4 years ago at the beginning of the boom. He is noticing a deterioration in air quality, increased stresses on families, and an uptick in substance abuse; Emily Lierle, a young woman who has moved for the summer from Arizona to Williston, North Dakota to work on a farm and at the local newspaper. She’ll talk about what it’s like to be one of the few women in that area; and Jerry Burnes, News Editor at the Williston Herald. We want to know how you’re being affected by ramped-up oil and gas extraction in your area. How has your town been affected? Do you migrate for at least part of the year for work in one of these areas? What benefits are you experiencing? Drawbacks?
