No, that headline isn’t serious. But it makes more sense than the mythical Republican war on women from the 2012 election campaign. Why? I’ll let the latest Bloomberg Businessweek explain.
While men dominate North Dakota’s shale-oil industry, women in the region are starting complementary service businesses ranging from oil-well geology to occupational testing to day-care and medical clinics. “There are great opportunities for women,” says Kathy Neset, 57, president of Neset Consulting Service. “Whatever skill you have, we need it in western North Dakota.” …
… The scarcity is pushing up wages: Salaries for women employed full time in North Dakota jumped 22 percent from 2006 to 2011, to $32,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, compared with a 14 percent increase for women’s salaries nationwide. Male employees in the state saw a 17 percent increase over that period, to $45,439.
So a political partisan more interested in winning an election than in searching for the truth — I’m sure you know a few — could argue that those who oppose fracking in North Dakota also oppose women’s economic empowerment. Sound crazy? Yep, but so did the idea that Republicans would decide to pursue policies designed to alienate half the electorate.
There’s no reason to expect that North Carolina would experience the same type of female wage growth as North Dakota enjoyed once fracking for shale gas begins here. But this forum has documented other reasons why fracking holds great promise for the Tar Heel State.
