Fractured Families: Women of the Marcellus Shale
Abstract:
Overview:
This study aims to broaden the understanding of the production of vulnerability in communities impacted by hydraulic fracturing, through an analysis of the factors contributing to risk perception among women within these communities. The research will be guided by the following question: what shapes women's perspectives on fracking in the Marcellus Shale? In order to answer this, the study will look at the impacts of environmental health stress on women within these communities The first stream of research will consist of a review of the existing literature on the sociology/anthropology of fracking, environmental justice, and the effect of gender on environmental risk perception..The second stream will consist of interviews with community members (particularly women) and health professionals in West Virginia and
Pennsylvania, as these regions are currently experiencing shale gas drilling.
Given the current energy outlook, this topic is of particular importance. The U.S. currently relies on imported oil as its primary energy source, and while natural gas could help alleviate some of that dependence, this (temporary) relief comes at a price. Shale Gas extraction is currently a hotly-debated topic, with science to support both sides. What this study seeks to contribute is an understanding of the social impacts of fracking, and their role in the ongoing debate. The work can be broken down into three specific aims:
1.
The generation of new knowledge about the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on individuals in fracked communities: Specific contributions will include:
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An analysis of stresses induced by industry presence in the community
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An analysis of health impacts that extend beyond the biophysical, looking instead at emotional and psychological health.
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An analysis of the ways that fracking-induced stresses affect family and community dynamics
2.
A better understanding of what creates vulnerability to industry –related environmental disaster. Specific contribution will include:
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Background and Significance:
Background:
The U.S. currently relies heavily on imported petroleum for most of its energy needs, putting the country at the mercy of oil producers around the world. This creates both an economic and a security issue, as at some point the oil is going to run out. The pressure is on to find a way to

meet U.S. energy needs without having to rely so heavily on foreign oil. Adding to this pressure is the emergence of climate change science. The dominant idea, at least among younger generations, is that the U.S. (and the world, for that matter) needs to drastically cut its CO2 emissions.
Natural gas has emerged as a “clean and domestic” energy solution. It emits less CO2 than petroleum when burned, and the U.S. possesses a seemingly vast supply. New technologies provide access to unconventional gas reserves that were previously thought of as unusable. High volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing allows drillers to reach natural gas deposits in shale formations, like the Marcellus Shale which underlies parts of Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. The process works by drilling down to a certain depth, then drilling horizontally through the shale formation. A mixture of sand, water, and chemicals is then injected at high pressure, causing the surrounding shale to fracture, releasing the stored gas. (Note: Do I need this explanation?)
However, the process remains shrouded in a web of regulatory exemptions and conflicting science. A 2004 EPA report found that fracking had no negative impacts on groundwater, a conclusion that was called into question by the 2010 film, Gasland, which featured shots of individuals lighting their tapwater on fire. The 2005 Energy Policy Act prohibits the EPA from regulating the shale gas industry under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and it was not until after the premier of Gasland that policy makers began discussing fracking research and regulation. In
2010 the House Committee on Energy and Commerce began an investigation of the environmental and health-related impacts, and a month later the EPA began investigating the effects on drinking water.
Despite the relative lack of government research, however, a large amount of research has been conducted on the environmental impacts of fracking
Broader Impacts
Intellectual Merit
Prior Work and Related Studies:
Lisa McDevitt is an undergraduate student working towards earning her dual B.S. in geology and sustainability studies at RPI. During her time at RPI, she has contributed to two research projects. The first is a collaborative project where she works with a group of researchers from
RPI as well as other international institutions, titled, the Asthma Files. The goal of this work is to develop a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to the complex problem of the ongoing asthma epidemic. Her role in the project was to review the literature on air quality and asthma, particularly focusing on the air quality of Singapore.

Her second research project, which she began in the Spring of 2013, is another collaborative effort, aimed at better understanding the debate around shale gas extraction. The Fracking Files, consists of a group of students and faculty at RPI, interested in understanding the fracking process and all its impacts. She has contributed an analysis of existing air quality science related to natural gas, and is currently working to characterize fracked areas as asthmatic spaces, in an effort to tie together both projects.
Research Methodology and Plan of Work:
1.
Study Components:
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Literature Review
The first stream of this research will consist of a review of the applicable literatures. This will provide the basis for further streams of research, and give a broad scale perspective of the issue. The literatures I will be focusing on are: i.
The sociology/anthropology of fracking ii.
Environmental justice iii.
Environmental Health iv.
Gender and its role in environmental risk perceptions, experiences, and activism
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Field Work
A second stream of research will be conducted in the field. Throughout the semester, I plan to visit several fracked communities, in both West Virginia and
Pennsylvania, in order to conduct interviews with community members, particularly women who have been impacted by unconventional natural gas extraction. These impacts include: health impacts, employment impacts, social impacts, and changes in risk perception.
I will also be observing community members and their attitudes/actions towards the natural gas industry.
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Interviews with Professionals
Interviews with experts in the fields of environmental health and environmental justice will comprise the third stream of this work. Their work experience will likely impact the way they view fracking, and their inputs will add depth to the project
2.
Research Questions:
1.
What factors enhance or limit a community’s ability to cope with harmful industrial practice?
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How do women experience the impacts of fracking?

i.
Have you been personally impacted by the presence of the natural gas industry in your community? If so, how? Has it affected your sense of well-being? ii.
In what ways has fracking affected your daily life? iii.
In what ways has fracking impacted the health and well-being of your family members? iv.
What concerns do you have about fracking? How do these concerns affect your opinion of the industry as a whole?
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How do existing communities interact with the influx of industry workers? i.
What sorts of interactions have you had with industry workers? ii.
What actions has your community taken to accommodate these workers? Where do they all live?
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What governing structures are in place to help communities deal with industry presence? i.
How involved are you in community leadership and governance, if at all? ii.
If you have complaints about the industry, to whom would you voice or have you voiced those concerns? iii.
How would you describe relationships among community members?
Have any community groups been formed either in support of or against fracking? iv.
What level of governance (i.e. local, state, national) do you think would be most effective in enacting any sort of necessary policy change in regards to shale gas drilling?
2.
What social and/or cultural characteristics shape a community’s ability to combat disaster?
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Is there a history of environmental disaster/degradation in the area? i.
What other industries have been prominent in this region during the past 50 years? ii.
Are you aware of any major pre-fracking environmental issues in this region?
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What policies are in place to protect communities from potential environmental disaster? i.
Are you awar of any policies or regulations governing the shale gas industry? ii.
Are these measures enforced? If so, how?
3.
How does environmental health stress affect community dynamics?
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How does environmental health stress affect women in fracked communities?
4.
What role do women play in communities impacted by environmental disaster?

3.
Field Sites:
Interviews will be conducted with individuals at two primary field sites. These field sites will include:
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West Union, WV & Surrounding Communities
The West Union region is one of two regions where I will conduct interviews with community members and healthcare professionals. The area has been heavily impacted by the natural gas industry. The communities here tend to consist of poor, white families, making it a unique study group for better understanding vulnerability production.
 Pittsburgh, PA & Surrounding Communities
The Pittsburgh area will be my second field site, where I will do my field work, which will include collecting interviews. The natural gas industry is prominent in Pennsylvania, and there is already some research being done on the health and environmental impacts of fracking in Pennsylvania.
4.
Schedule of Research:
October to November 2013
December 2013
January 2014
February to March 2014
April to May 2014
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Conduct preliminary field work
 make contact with potential interviewees and set up interviews
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Conduct a review of existing literature
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Continue field work in the form of weekend trips to field sites
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Conduct remote interviews (e.g. via skype or telephone)
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Travel to Pittsburgh to conduct interviews
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Begin writing
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Continue Writing
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Wrap up interviews
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Synthesize data gathered through interviews
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Complete Writing
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Submit final work to Prof. Fisk.
Dissemination:

This work will be submitted as my senior thesis at RPI.