Does proximity to hydraulic fracturing affect people's opinion of it, positively or negatively?
Emily Jobson is an Environmental Specialist at Chevron and a Masters student at Royal Roads University. She reports on her Masters thesis research looking at public perceptions around hydraulic fracturing and fresh water use in two north west Alberta communities, Fox Creek (a predominately oil and gas industry town) and Whitecourt (a predominately forestry town) in north west Alberta. Her interviews with residents revealed the perception that they thought industry use of groundwater was affecting local recreation lakes. It was notable that even in a community like Fox Creek that had many residents who are associated with the oil and gas industry, people said they were getting their information about hydraulic fracturing from third part sources, not the oil and gas industry. Disposal wells use for flowback disposal was not a major concern but recycling of produced water and flowback was strongly supported. There was a very low response rate (3.2% responded of the 1360 residents invited) to the online survey. In spite of the low response rate, the survey data reinforces the conclusion that perceptions are being formed in the absence of factual information from the oil and gas industry.
Emily Jobson sees an opportunity for industry to inform the public on the details of their activities so citizens can make informed opinions.
Emily Jobson's presentation was part of PTAC's Water Forum, June 11, 2013 in Calgary, Alberta.
