ABSTRACT
The impacts of fracking are mostly felt by individuals living close to the drilling sites. In this chapter, case studies have been presented to understand the seriousness of the impacts of externalities of fracking on various aspects of community life and how residents have responded to them. Since the negative externalities of fracking have caused frustrations and undermined individuals’ quality of life, people have demanded adequate protection for themselves and the environment through changes in existing regulatory policies of the state and local government. In their efforts to bring about such changes and regain the status quo in their quality of life, their opposition to fracking has varied from strong to mild. Some communities have vociferously demanded actions that have resonated with the local and state government while others have mildly protested, managing to draw attention to those problems that were unforeseen at the beginning of fracking and therefore not taken into consideration in regulating this activity. Whatever may be the case, they all provide some insights into the negative externalities of fracking along with the need for the state and local government to balance communities’ interests with those of the oil and gas industry.
