Appendix A: Selected University Studies, State, and Federal Reports

Abstract

Presented as independent academic scientific research, following are a series of US university studies, many funded by federal or state grants, universities, or private industry, mostly published in 2010–2015 on various aspects of unconventional oil and gas drilling and pro­ duction which were released to the general public and scientific community. Due to the controversial nature and the widespread use of the new drilling and extrac­ tion technologies, the university studies were developed to address many of the public concerns with fracking: greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impacts to air quality, water resource quantity and quality, human health concerns, worker safety, and socioeconomic changes. Many of the studies contained appropriate methodologies and reasonable and commonsense con­ clusions based on actual data and field evidence. A few of the university studies were less than credible in their objectivity, methodology, and conclusions. The selected university studies related to unconventional oil and gas production issues are listed alphabetically: