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Unconventional Gas Development in the U.S. States: Exploring the Variation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Olga Schenk ,
Michelle H.W. Lee ,
Naveed H. Paydar ,
John A. Rupp  and
John D. Graham
Olga Schenk
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University
Michelle H.W. Lee
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University
Naveed H. Paydar
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University
John A. Rupp
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University
John D. Graham
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University
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Abstract

This article examines the large interstate variation in levels of unconventional gas development in the U.S. states. The following hypotheses are advanced to predict whether a state will be predisposed toward development: (H1) the availability of unconventional gas reserves; (H2) the availability of infrastructure to support development; (H3) a recent history of conventional oil and gas development; (H4) Republican party control of the Governor's office and state legislature; (H5) relatively low sensitivity to environmental issues; (H6) regulatory systems that treat UGD as a variant of conventional gas development; (H7) a pressing need for economic benefits as indicated by state and local measures of household income, unemployment and poverty; (H8) and public opinion supportive of development. To various degrees, each of the hypotheses is supported but important exceptions and surprises are uncovered in the qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses. Future research should continue the effort to explain the variation of development by expanding the geographical scope of inquiry and enlarging the sample of jurisdictions.

Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Risk Regulation , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , December 2014 , pp. 436 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014

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