Community Engagement in Shale Gas Development

Author #1

Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary

My presentation focuses on tools that communities use to mitigate impacts to local communities from the expansion of unconventional natural gas extraction. Utilizing these tools maintains home rule authority, but they can also become susceptible to legal challenges that dictate state primacy. The research I present analyzes civic engagement strategies in three states- North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania- in response to the recent boom in the oil and gas sector with the expansion of unconventional natural gas extractions, i.e. hydraulic fracturing in shale gas formations. The goal of research is to identify and compare the various tools that communities are using on state, county and city levels to mitigate potentials environmental/ community impacts related to shale gas development. A lack of federal oversight of the fracking industries means that local/ home rule regulations are the primary tools available to communities confronted with the myriad challenges of shale gas development. Three case studies compare community responses in each of the following locales: Wellsboro, PA: Land use ordinances and planning restrictions were used to begin to respond to the impacts from extensive drilling within town parameters. Broadview Heights, OH: A community bill of rights was passed, trying to bypass restrictions on local authority to restrict shale gas development by the state. Anson County, NC: Passed a county- wide moratorium on fracking although it conflicted with state primacy. This also was based on citizen’s rights. Shale gas development is accelerating and many communities are faced with trying to figure out how to slow or prevent it. This research can offer some insight to those communities about what structures they can use that will most effectively help them.

 
Mar 27th, 1:30 PM Mar 27th, 2:45 PM

Community Engagement in Shale Gas Development

My presentation focuses on tools that communities use to mitigate impacts to local communities from the expansion of unconventional natural gas extraction. Utilizing these tools maintains home rule authority, but they can also become susceptible to legal challenges that dictate state primacy. The research I present analyzes civic engagement strategies in three states- North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania- in response to the recent boom in the oil and gas sector with the expansion of unconventional natural gas extractions, i.e. hydraulic fracturing in shale gas formations. The goal of research is to identify and compare the various tools that communities are using on state, county and city levels to mitigate potentials environmental/ community impacts related to shale gas development. A lack of federal oversight of the fracking industries means that local/ home rule regulations are the primary tools available to communities confronted with the myriad challenges of shale gas development. Three case studies compare community responses in each of the following locales: Wellsboro, PA: Land use ordinances and planning restrictions were used to begin to respond to the impacts from extensive drilling within town parameters. Broadview Heights, OH: A community bill of rights was passed, trying to bypass restrictions on local authority to restrict shale gas development by the state. Anson County, NC: Passed a county- wide moratorium on fracking although it conflicted with state primacy. This also was based on citizen’s rights. Shale gas development is accelerating and many communities are faced with trying to figure out how to slow or prevent it. This research can offer some insight to those communities about what structures they can use that will most effectively help them.