Energy Boom and Gloom? Local Effects of Oil and Natural Gas Drilling on Subjective Well-Being

Karen Maguire and John Winters

No 9811, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The United States experienced a considerable increase in oil and natural gas extraction in recent years due to technological advancements including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Increased energy development likely creates both benefits and costs, but the net effects for local residents are not well understood. This paper examines effects of conventional and horizontal oil and natural gas drilling in Texas on subjective assessments of life-satisfaction and bad mental health days for nearby residents. Horizontal drilling has statistically significant deleterious effects on well-being, but the effects are driven by the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area, an area with both very high levels of horizontal drilling and a large urban population.

Keywords: energy; drilling; subjective well-being; mental health; natural gas; environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 Q40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 26 pages
Date: 2016-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene and nep-hap
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Published - published in: Growth and Change, 2017, 48 (4), 590-610

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Working Paper: Energy Boom and Gloom? Local Effects of Oil and Natural Gas Drilling on Subjective Well-Being (2016)
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