New
drilling techniques for oil and natural gas are propelling an energy production
renaissance in the United States. As the US economy struggles to emerge from
the Great Recession, many see the boom as a possible source of economic
salvation that could reduce unemployment and revitalize American manufacturing.
Until now, however, there has been little objective analysis of the energy boom’s
economic consequences. In this major study, Trevor Houser and Shashank Mohan
fill that gap. Houser and Mohan assess the impact of the recent and projected
increase in domestic energy production on US GDP, employment growth,
manufacturing competitiveness, household expenditures, and international trade
balance. Alongside its economic impact, they also explore the consequences for
the environment and global warming, providing guidance for policymakers to
navigate these issues.