Study: Energy boom’s boon is temporary

A new study from a regional nonprofit research group is questioning whether energy development does more long-term economic harm than good for host counties.

The 31-year study stipulates that short-term development can have a strong positive impact on employment and income that breaks down over time.

“When fossil-fuel development plays a role in a local economy for a long period of time there are negative effects on per capita income, crime rates and educational attainment,” the executive summary for the study by Bozeman, Mont.-based Headwaters Economics said.

The study looked at Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Utah and determined the…