Oil, Gas And Coal In Montana

Oil, gas and coal are often touted as big drivers for Montana’s economy, but a new report from Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics shows the in-state benefits are limited. In fact, it says less than 3% of both total employment and personal income is connected to those energy projects. Report author, Julia Haggerty has recommendations for how Montana can maximize those benefits. Haggerty has discovered that jobs are closely connected to market prices, rather than state policies such as industry taxes.

Haggerty says the “cost” to the environment and quality of life are additional economic factors that need more consideration. 

 Haggerty says state severance taxes are the best way to maximize state economic benefits when valuable fuel resources are mined, because the revenue can grow even after the jobs are gone.