Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan

This case study exposes students to a framework to examine complex socio-environmental (S-E) systems, using hydraulic fracturing (HF) in Michigan as an example. This framework will allow students to examine other complex socio-environmental systems. This case study applies an interrupted case approach to explore the relationships between state level policymaking, environmental science, public discourse, media coverage, and risk perceptions. Michigan has a long history of HF, but new technical developments, as well as a push for energy independence at the state level, and controversies in other states over the technology (e.g. New York and Pennsylvania), have raised public concerns in the state.