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 overall success of the EFD project depends upon sponsors. The project lead will identify potential EFD sponsors and arrange meetings to facilitate growing the program. The Utah State University work scope includes:
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 in the Uinta Basin of Utah through face-to-face meetings and teleconferencing.
Empirically examine stakeholders' level of familiarity with environmentally friendly energy exploration and production practices.
Empirically examine stakeholders' level of agreement that environmentally friendly energy explroation 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.
Hold a workshop 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 in the Uinta Basin of Utah with respect to the acceptance and assimilation of environmentally friendly energy exploration and production practices drawing upon the empirical data collected in steps 2 and 3.
There are four key deliverables associated with this work scope:
A white paper (8 to 12 pages) that summarizes the needs and barriers for the region.
A series of factsheets, 2 pages in length, (at least two) that discuss the application of EFD technologies to the region.
A series of workshops (at least two) that will transfer EFD technologies to regional stakeholders.
A paper and presentation at a conference concerning the Public Perception study.