Maybe the MAIFAA already did that "study", and makes sure to remind him about "those pictures of you and the goat" when handing him the latest bill he is instructed to introduce on their behalf.

"Didya hear about Lamar Smith's bill to create another Obama-appointed czar?"

A state trooper needs the description of a gunman recently seen in the area? OK.

A state trooper needs to get his quote of parking tickets filled ASAP? Not so much.

If the companies that sell X have access to a 15-year supply, they aren't going to spend money looking for more. As a result, anybody who looks at known reserves and doesn't understand the reality described in the previous sentence is going to run around yelling "ONOZ WE'RE GONNA RUN OUT OF X IN 15 YEARS OMG!!!1!"