By late 2008, the United States was in the midst of its most severe economic recession since the 1930s, brought on by a collapse in real estate prices and exacerbated by the failure of many large banks and financial institutions. Heeding calls from economists, Congress and the Obama administration passed an historic law in early 2009 to stimulate…

Although energy development ultimately produces some additional tax revenues, these revenues are usually much lower during early development stages than after the energy-producing operation begins, thus creating an early shortrun imbalance between government revenues and expenditures. State and federal loans, impact aid for operating expenses, and…