Louisianans favor ‘fracking’ description over direct reference

The latest release of survey results from the 2012 Louisiana Survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab shows how opinions on a topic can vary based on the words used to form a question about it. Louisianans who were asked how they feel about a controversial method of oil and gas extraction known as hydraulic fracturing gave more positive responses when it was described but not named. They were even more skeptical of the method when it was referred to as “fracking,” as most call it in the industry and media. Roughly half of the respondents were given the questions with the word “fracking” included. The other half were asked the same questions, but a description of the hydraulic fracturing process was substituted for the words “fracturing” or “fracking.” When neither of those words was mentioned, 43% said they think the drilling method is “somewhat safe” or “very safe.” Just 35% said the same when they heard “fracturing” or “fracking.” And while 52% said the state should encourage the drilling method, only 39% said the state should encourage “fracturing” or “fracking.” “Public aversion to the term likely results from the harsh consonants and perhaps the obvious similarity to a certain … four-letter word,” says Michael Climek of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. “And this research shows that the unpleasant sound of the word is at least partially responsible for residents thinking ‘fracking’ is unsafe and that it should not be pursued by the state of Louisiana. If businesses and legislators use another word or description, constituents may be more willing to support hydraulic fracturing.” See the full survey results and methodology here.