Laramie County Commissioner Keith ''Buck'' Holmes says that while there is no doubt oil exploration in Laramie County has taken big hit because of low oil prices, there are still some hopeful signs for the industry over the long term.
Weak manufacturing in China has lead to a continued roller coaster ride for oil today. However, prices did continue to go up to about $49 a barrel on Monday.
The principal economist with the state's Economic Analysis Division says there is hope for increasing oil and gas prices, which are critical to the state's economy.
While the Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010 may have tempered enthusiasm for offshore drilling, the current rise in gas prices has turned the public back in that direction.