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Empowerment, Uncertainty, and Perceived Impacts of Shale Energy Development in Eastern Ohio

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
The increase in the production of oil and natural gas from unconventional shale resources has substantially altered the energy landscape in the United States. The associated activities can also affect the residents who live in the communities where this development is taking place. We investigated how individuals living in a community where shale energy development is occurring (Belmont County, Ohio, USA) experience and perceive this development and the factors that influence their perceptions of risks and benefits. We extended a methodology that considers perceptions and their severity to include empowerment as a potential mitigating factor. We found that concerns about traffic or road deterioration and economic benefits for the community are expressed most often, and that different avenues of empowerment (e.g., voices being heard, collective bargaining of leases) can improve perceived and actual outcomes for landowners. Uncertainty about future impacts appear to be a motivating factor when deciding to lease. Landowners who did not lease expressed certainty and severe concern about negative environmental and social impacts. Those who leased their land framed their lack of concern for these impacts in the context of uncertainty about negative outcomes later, relative to certain financial gains now. We anticipate that this study can address questions concerning the variety of attitudes, concerns, and impacts attributed to shale energy development.
Jeffrey Bielicki (Advisor)
Cinnamon Carlarne (Committee Member)
Anna Willow (Committee Member)
73 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hagley, P. E. (2017). Empowerment, Uncertainty, and Perceived Impacts of Shale Energy Development in Eastern Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511873619234342

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hagley, Paige. Empowerment, Uncertainty, and Perceived Impacts of Shale Energy Development in Eastern Ohio. 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511873619234342.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hagley, Paige. "Empowerment, Uncertainty, and Perceived Impacts of Shale Energy Development in Eastern Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511873619234342

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)