Abstract of Paper by Dr. G. Theodori

Data collected in a general population survey from a random sample of individuals in two counties located in the Barnett
Shale region of Texas were used to empirically explore issues associated with public perception of the natural gas
industry. Moderate support was found for the hypothesis that individuals residing in places with diverse levels of energy
development exhibit dissimilar perceptions of the energy industry. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression
analyses indicate that residents of the county where the natural gas industry is more mature (Wise County) exhibit
somewhat more negative perceptions of the energy industry than do residents of the county where natural gas industry
is less established (Johnson County). The results also reveal that mineral rights ownership is a relatively strong and
consistent factor associated with
public perception of the natural gas industry. Possible implications of these findings for the energy industry are
proposed, as are suggestions for future research.

 

Attached is an abstract of the paper. A complete copy can be purchased at http://www.spe.org