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(KSL News) A committee in the House has just approved a bill that seeks to increase energy production in the U.S.
It would lease 2 and a half million acres of federal land to private businesses, to mine oil shale.
The land spans across Colorado, Wyoming, and here in Utah. Critics say it will open up protected environments, to industry.
Proponents say oil shale is a promising and untapped energy resource, and also say develeloping our own oil resources will help us become independent from unstable countries, especially in the middle east.
The Energy Department estimates the equivalent of one trillion barrels of oil could be tapped.
