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Emergent patterns and processes in urban hydrocarbon governance

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  • Fry, Matthew
  • Brannstrom, Christian

Abstract

Beginning in the 2000s, the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region became home to the world's largest and longest experiment in urban shale gas production, with 25,182 drilling permits issued from 2000 to 2016 in the Barnett Shale. Urban hydrocarbon governance centered on establishing statutory setback distances between drilling sites and nearest houses or other protected uses. Here we analyze qualitative interview data obtained with a rigorous sampling frame to examine processes and outcomes of municipal-level hydrocarbon governance. We find that early municipal responses (2001–2002) revealed lack of technical expertise to respond to unconventional drilling and production. Controversial wells, which residents considered too close to houses, focused governance debates in several municipalities. Municipal policymakers reported that protecting public health and safety were top priorities in determining setbacks. After 2003, policymakers copied ordinance language from neighboring municipalities and established task forces and working groups to reduce political tensions. The role of the hydrocarbon industry included frequent claims seeking to exploit the longstanding separation of mineral and property estates, which encouraged municipalities to reduce setbacks and lower potential exposure to regulatory takings lawsuits. Over time, municipal regulatory power in hydrocarbon governance decreased while industry power increased, offering several implications for corporate responsibility and social license debates.

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  • Fry, Matthew & Brannstrom, Christian, 2017. "Emergent patterns and processes in urban hydrocarbon governance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 383-393.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:111:y:2017:i:c:p:383-393
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.09.042
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    Cited by:

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    2. Trey Murphy, 2019. "Sarmistha R. Majumdar. The politics of fracking: regulatory policy and local community responses to environmental concerns," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 9(4), pages 451-452, December.
    3. Kroepsch, Adrianne C., 2018. "Horizontal drilling, changing patterns of extraction, and piecemeal participation: Urban hydrocarbon governance in Colorado," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 469-480.
    4. Rong Wu & Jian Zhang & Yubing Yu & Sajjad M. Jasimuddin & Justin Zuopeng Zhang, 2023. "The Impact of Value Cocreation on CSR Innovation and Economic Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, February.
    5. Jeffrey Rous & Vicki Oppenheim & Myungsup Kim & Matthew Fry & Chetan Tiwari & Murray Rice, 2020. "Evaluating determinants of shale gas well locations in an urban setting," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 65(3), pages 645-671, December.
    6. Ericson, Sean J. & Kaffine, Daniel T. & Maniloff, Peter, 2020. "Costs of increasing oil and gas setbacks are initially modest but rise sharply," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    7. Michanowicz, Drew R. & Buonocore, Jonathan J. & Konschnik, Katherine E. & Goho, Shaun A. & Bernstein, Aaron S., 2021. "The effect of Pennsylvania's 500 ft surface setback regulation on siting unconventional natural gas wells near buildings: An interrupted time-series analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    8. Shakil, Mohammad Hassan, 2021. "Environmental, social and governance performance and financial risk: Moderating role of ESG controversies and board gender diversity," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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