Perceptions of social disruption in communities that experienced induced seismicity from hydraulic fracturing in Colorado and Oklahoma, USA

Abstract

This study tests a conceptual model of perceptions of community social disruption (measured as crime and violence, boom and bust oil and gas cycles, social disruption to the community, built environment/infrastructure related concerns, family disruption, and personal life disruption) from hydraulic fracturing. Data come from a sample of 1200 households located in hydraulic fracturing communities that also experienced induced seismicity in Colorado and Oklahoma. Results of structural equation models suggests residents who (1) reside near fracking drill sites, (2) identify as racial/ethnic minorities, (3) have lower socio-economic status (4) view fracking as a risk, (5) are liberal, and (6) do not trust institutions associated with hydraulic fracturing, are all likely to report perceptions of community social disruption. These results emphasize that the perceived effects of hydraulic fracturing matter but are not experienced equally by all members of the community. As a result, environmental injustices emerge and have consequences for perceptions of community social disruption.