A long-standing industry is under intense scrutiny as debates over stricter regulations, workforce protections, and community contributions reach a critical point. Critics and supporters alike are clashing over whether current practices align with modern economic and environmental standards. The outcome could reshape how the sector operates and its role in local economies. Stakes are high as policymakers weigh the balance between tradition and change.
A century-old industry faces a reckoning over regulation, jobs and local benefits.
