This must be due to drilling in the Bakken. N.D. has passed Oklahoma and is closing in on Louisiana for #4 in oil production by state (behind Texas, Alaska and California [and U.S. federal waters of the gulf]) - from next to nothing 5 years ago.
Yup. Energy. The states that are surviving are due to energy. If Utah told the feds FU - that national park Clinton stole for the Riady’s in indonesia is state land and we are leasing it. Then Utah would be one of the wealthiest countries in the world cause they have some of the best coal in the world.
Bring in Sasol to turn it into liquid petroleum at about $35 a barrel and Utah would be even richer.