Beyond the per-capita windfall, the so-called shale gale has filled the sails of industries that sell into the oil sector. Consider, for example, the nation’s railroads.
Energizing a Lackluster US Business
In the mid 1800s – back when John D. Rockefeller built the Standard Oil Empire that ushered in the petroleum age – rail was the preferred method of transporting oil from one part of the country to another. Within decades, however, pipelines were viewed as a faster, more economical option. Rail use fell by the wayside, at least as far as the oil industry was concerned.
