What's the ‘fracking’ problem? One word can’t say it all

Public opinion on energy development: The interplay of issue framing, top-of-mind associations, and political ideology

“…Our findings, as well other studies and commentaries (Bailin, 2013;Evensen et al, 2014a;Goidel and Climek, 2012), suggest that shale oil or gas development and especially fracking are "loaded" terms. They are linked to different connotations and diverse social, economic, environmental, and health impacts.…”

“…In comparing reactions to fracking versus shale oil or gas development as issue frames within public discourse, evidence shows that both terms have come to refer to the broader oil and gas extraction process, with fracking no longer limited to describing just hydraulic fracturing (Evensen et al, 2014a). As a result, proponents and opponents have tied the meaning of these terms to broader impacts beyond hydraulically fracturing rock (Bailin, 2013).…”

A conceptual model of the socioeconomic impacts of unconventional fossil fuel extraction

“…Some authors have claimed that the extraction of unconventional energy through 'fracking' is socially problematic (Kerschner et al, 2013). Others have observed that 'fracking' represents a convenient catch all for overly-simplistic negative connotations (Evensen et al, 2014). Economists who have examined industry-funded reports about the economic benefits of shale gas have found these to be exaggerated (Kinnaman, 2011).…”

Does It Really Make a Fracking Difference? The Conditional Effects of Question Wording on Support for Hydraulic Fracturing

“…Clarke et al (2015) suggests that the word "fracking" elicited more negative top-of-mind and environmental associations than did the phrase "shale oil or gas development." Finally, incorporating surveys from New York and from counties in Pennsylvania within the Marcellus Shale region with national level samples, Evensen et al 2014 concluded that the word "fracking" carries a negative, or even lewd, connotation.…”