by Derek Draplin
Energy and mineral development on lands managed by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) in Nevada contributed nearly $3.8 billion in added value to the state’s economy last year, according to a department report.
The report, released this week, said all DOI activities in the state contributed $4.7 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) to the economy in 2018. Energy and mineral development also accounted for 22,000 of the 39,500 jobs DOI activities in the state supported, while recreation supported 11,500 jobs.
Energy and mineral development on DOI-manage lands accounted for $6.2 billion out of $8.1 billion in economic output in Nevada last year, the department said.
The DOI’s activities on federal lands include energy and mineral development, livestock grazing and timber harvesting, grants and payments, payroll, and recreation.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said the report highlights how public lands contribute to the economy under the Trump administration.
“As the stewards of our public lands and waters, we are committed to being a good neighbor and serving alongside local communities,” he said.
DOI activities contributed $315 billion in economic output and 1.8 million jobs across the nation in 2018, according to the report. Oil and gas development accounted for $151 billion in economic output and supported 643,000 jobs nationally.
In Colorado, DOI activities contributed $7.9 billion in GDP to the state’s economy last year, $6.1 billion of which was from energy and mineral development.
In Arizona, recreation on DOI-managed lands contributed $1.8 billion in GDP to the state’s economy last year.
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Derek Draplin is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as an opinion producer at Forbes, and as a reporter at Michigan Capitol Confidential and The Detroit News. He’s also an editor at The Daily Caller.
Photo “Gabbs Mine, Nevada” by Ken Lund CC2.0.
