US Energy Production Soars, Boosting Manufacturing -- Charts

The New York Times offers two great charts showing how energy production in America is changing, and how this is affecting US employment.

First, total US energy production is up. Even though coal production is down, nat-gas and oil production is soaring. After ramping up for years, renewables have flat-lined, but that may be temporary.

Second, look at how this has changed employment on a county-by-county level. The energy-rich middle of America is booming.

And it's not just oil-field jobs. Cheap natural gas has been a lifeline for manufacturers struggling to compete with overseas rivals; it has helped revive production in energy-intensive industries like chemicals and plastics.

Read the rest of the story here.