UNT Study proves 78% wouldn't want a gas well in their backyard!

UNT Research center did a study to see how distance and royalties play a part in opposition to a gas well close to neighborhoods. The result isn't a surprise. The majority wouldn't want a gas well 500 to 200 feet from their homes even with getting royalties. Fifty two percent of the people posed with the question of 1000' or over favored a gas drilling operation. The conclusion is 78 percent don't want a gas well 200' from their home or in their backyard! Even with royalties. (FM ordinance states when a sign lease exists a variance can be granted for 300'.)

http://web3.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=11500
UNT center finds that opposition increases as gas wells get closer to neighborhoods
DENTON (UNT), Texas – A recent survey conducted by the University of North Texas' Survey Research Center shows that many North Texans have mixed feelings about the local natural gas industry: enjoying the royalties associated with drilling, but disliking the prospect of having wells near their home.

The survey, which was conducted by Dr. Paul Ruggiere, director of the center, found that when posed with a hypothetical gas well 1,000 feet from their neighborhood, a slight majority (52 percent) of citizens either strongly or somewhat favored a gas drilling operation that close. The favorable ratings increased to 65 percent if the respondent was told to rate the question as if they had mineral rights that could pay them royalties for some portion of the gas extracted.

However, when the hypothetical well is moved to within 500 feet the ratings shift toward majority opposition; 72 percent with no mention of royalties and 59 percent who were told they would receive royalties opposed drilling within 500 feet of their neighborhood.

At 200 feet, the opposition is much greater; 86 percent with no mention of royalties and 78 percent who believed they would receive royalties opposed drilling within 200 feet of their neighborhood.

"At 1000 feet, the prospect of receiving royalties appears to influence respondents' favorability rating. The strength of that influence dissipates as proposed gas wells get closer to respondents' neighborhoods," said Ruggiere.

Question Wording
Would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose gas drilling within 1,000 feet of your neighborhood? How about 500 feet? How about 200 feet?
If you had mineral rights that could pay you royalties for some portion of the gas extracted, would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose gas drilling within 1,000 feet of your neighborhood? How about 500 feet? How about 200 feet?

Ruggiere oversaw the survey, which was conducted by telephone at the Survey Research Center's Denton telephone facility. A total of 607 respondents, age 18 or older, were contacted and interviewed between Sept. 26 and Oct. 29, 2008.
The poll included residents of Tarrant and Denton counties. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the two versions of the polling question.
For further information, contact Ruggiere at 940-367-8829 or paulr@unt.edu.