I dunno. The Gub'mint can't get a postcard delivered on time one time out of ten... I have a hard time believing that more than 3 people can get together, form policy that would be disastrously unpopular if true, and quietly implement that policy across a double handful of states with wildly varying personality types in managerial control... across a gereration or two.
But I'm a cynic.
The evidence indicates otherwise.
And, I have seen the government capable of keeping incredible things secret when it makes up it's mind sufficiently to do so.
I first became aware of this when I sought to have an oil/gas well on my property. I discovered that the tax breaks, of which I was well-aware because of having grown up here and being familiar with the local oil boom of the 50's-70's, no longer existed. In fact that is what caused the boom to bust in the late 70's.
Because oil and gas exploration is still, but less profitable (and more risky), it continues, nevertheless. That is, if you're good at the business. I speak with these remaining oil developers on a weekly basis (since I'm still pursuing my own well). What I've learned from these tried and true, professional oil developers is that the govt., despite its public posture, regards the security issue of oil/gas availability as something which must be safeguarded above all other issues.
Thus, local oil/gas exploration efforts are hampered by at least two conflicting forces.