Public Perception
Oil and gas development is increasing in the State of Utah due to national and worldwide demands for energy, for example the Uinta Basin identified by RPSEA as a top priority tight sands play. It is important to understand the impacts that this growth may have on local and regional air quality, water resources, land use and general quality of life.
The EFD Program works to establish rapport with members of the general public, community leaders, representatives of oil and gas associations, regulatory agency personnel, non-governmental organization representatives, and other interested individuals who are expected to be affected by energy development through face-to-face meetings and teleconferencing.In addition, the program interacts with all stakeholders to empirically examine their level of familiarity with environmentally friendly energy exploration and production practices as well as their level of agreement that environmentally friendly energy exploration and production practices can be used in environmentally sensitive areas that are currently off-limits or highly restricted should such areas be opened up for development. The EFD program holds workshops to establish dialogue among members of the general public, community leaders, representatives of oil and gas associations, regulatory agency personnel, non-governmental organization representatives, and other interested individuals with respect to the acceptance and assimilation of environmentally friendly energy exploration and production practices drawing upon the empirical data.
A white paper has been written concerning the Uintah Basin. This report provides:
- An understanding of local viewpoints on the main environmental issues, concerns and challenges.
- A discussion of what steps have been, or are being taken, by industry to reduce the environmental footprint.
- A discussion of the drivers of and barriers to the expanded use of EFD practices
- A discussion of the role played by the regulatory agencies in shaping practices.
A copy of the paper may be found at this link: Uintah Basin White Paper
In addition, there are various other publications and presentations concerning public perception that have been issued, including:
"Fracking" and Clean Water: A Survey of Americans
Haut, R.C., Williams, T., Theodori, G., Slutz, J.: “Balancing Environmental, Societal and Energy Production Issues,” extended abstract presented at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) 2011 Conference, 10-13 April 2011.
Haut, R.C., Burnett, D., Williams, T., Theodori, G.: “Balancing Environmental Tradeoffs Associated with Low Impact Drilling Systems to Produce Unconventional Natural Gas Resources,” paper CSUG/SPE-1337430-PP presented at the Canadian Unconventional Resources & International Petroleum Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 19-21 October 2010.