The Effect of Proximity to Energy Development on Public Attitudes: Fracking in the U.S.

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. Fracking

Abstract

The oil and gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has become a major national and international policy issue. A combination of new and preexisting technologies, fracking enables large, previously unviable oil and gas reserves to be developed in a cost-effective manner. Studies suggest that public attitudes toward a proposed energy project are largely shaped by previous experience with similar types of energy development and proximity to the project under consideration. Such studies, however, have largely focused on individual projects, offering a case-by-case analysis of public responses. No study has yet examined these factors on an aggregate, national scale, providing an opportunity to detect broad trends across many sites. By combining geospatial data on historical oil and gas industry activity and current shale development with a nationally representative survey of U.S. residents (N=1,061), we examine how proximity to previous and current oil and gas development independently influence public attitudes toward fracking. While we find limited evidence for the impact of historical oil and gas development on current attitudes toward fracking, survey respondents living near current fracking development are more likely to support fracking. Based on these findings, we discuss recommendations for future research and energy policy.

Authors

• Hilary Schaffer Boudet, Oregon State University

• Dylan Bugden, Cornell University

• Edward Maibach, George Mason University