[DariusBane]

In addition we have intellectual property invested in companies and people that would be lost in a generation. Then who would develop the oil and gas fields?

[SamAdams76]

Yes, our shale industry (i.e. fracking) has invested billions of dollars in R&D which is now paying off handsomely for us. We are many years ahead of the rest of the world in this technology. Our output will continue to grow for decades. We will likely become the world's largest exporter - in addition to meeting our own needs domestically.