Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
9-2015
College/Unit
Chambers College of Business and Economics
Document Number
15-37
Department/Program/Center
Economics
Abstract
Concerns about harmful effects arising from the increased use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract underground fuel resources has led to efforts to ban the practice. Many townships in western New York, which lies above the gas-rich Marcellus shale formation, have enacted bans or moratoria. Using spatial econometric techniques, we examine factors related to townships' choice to adopt fracking bans and document the importance of spatial dependence when analyzing fracking bans. We find education levels, the poverty rate, and veterans groups are associated with an increased probability of a township banning or putting a moratorium on fracking.
Digital Commons Citation
Hall, Joshua C.; Shultz, Christopher; and Stephenson, E. Frank, "The Political Economy of Local Fracking Bans" (2015). Economics Faculty Working Papers Series. 170.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/econ_working-papers/170