Research Findings
Survey on Rural Costs and Benefits
We used a mail survey was to identify the effects that unconventional oil and gas drilling had on landowners and businesses in various counties and the ways in which individuals tried to mitigate and manage development impacts. The survey was administered in the spring of 2016 by Penn State’s Survey Research Center to ensure consistency across the four states. Individuals sampled for the survey had the choice to respond by mail or by web.
The Relationship between Oil and Gas Development and Landowners
This report provides an overview of all answers to a survey sent to 1000 individuals that own land in Richland County, Montana; McKenzie County, North Dakota; Sheridan County, Wyoming; and Tioga County, Pennsylvania. More detailed analysis is available in forthcoming peer-review publications. Contact us for more information.
The Relationship between Oil and Gas Development and Businesses
This report provides an overview of all answers to a survey sent to 1500 businesses in Richland County, Montana; McKenzie County, North Dakota; Sheridan County, Wyoming; and Tioga County, Pennsylvania. More detailed analysis is available in forthcoming peer-review publications. Contact us for more information.
Case Studies: Impacts and Adaptations
We are developing six case studies, two each in the Marcellus, the Bakken, and the Powder River Basin.
Each case study uses primary document review and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, which may include landowners, agricultural stakeholders, industry, regulatory authorities, and or local government recruited via purposive sampling.
1. County Coalitions as Impact Mitigation: Local Government Coordination in the Wyoming Coalbed Methane Boom
This report focuses on how communities in the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming worked to respond to the challenges and opportunities of a fast-paced episode of energy development during a rush of coalbed methane (CBM) (also called coal seam gas or coalbed natural gas) development from 1998 - 2008.
2. Addressing Energy Impacts: A Case Study of the Northwest Landowners Association in North Dakota
This case study examines the role of North Dakota’s Northwest Landowners Association in managing impacts from unconventional fossil fuel development through their efforts to address concerns about pipeline development and operation.