Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Earth System Science & Policy

First Advisor

Rebecca Romsdahl

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has become one of the most contentious energy technologies of the 21st century, drawing support for its economic and energy security benefits and opposition due to its perceived environmental and health risks. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the psychological, social, and informational factors that shape public perceptions of fracking and motivate anti-fracking activism. Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 522), this research investigates how attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and domain-specific knowledge predict support or opposition to fracking, as well as intentions to engage in environmental activism. Structural equation modeling (SEM) reveals that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are the strongest predictors of activism intention, while attitudes toward fracking mediate the influence of risk perception, knowledge, and benefit evaluation. Additionally, political ideology, negative personal experiences with fracking, and distinct forms of fracking-related knowledge (socioeconomic vs. environmental health) significantly influence public opinion. Individuals who perceive higher benefits and possess more economic knowledge tend to support fracking, whereas those with greater environmental health risk knowledge and negative experiences are more likely to oppose it and express activist intentions. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of fracking attitudes and provide insights for policymakers, risk communicators, and environmental planners. Specifically, they underscore the importance of tailoring policy and outreach strategies to address both informational asymmetries and localized concerns. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how cognitive, experiential, and social variables interact to shape energy-related attitudes and public participation, offering actionable recommendations for more effective and equitable environmental policy development.

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