The University of Wyoming School of Energy’s Resources recently released results from a survey regarding Wyoming residents beliefs and values about energy related topics.
The survey is intended to explore the “social license,” or public perceptions, of energy resources and production throughout the state.
The project began in 2019 and was completed by a team of 3 researchers, Jessica Western, Adjunct Professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), Selena Gerace, SER associate research scientist, and Will Benkelman, Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Haub School ENR.
“The purpose was to explore what the social license that people in Wyoming provide regarding different energy types and find out the reasons why they provide that social license,” Western said.
“In 2019, we did the first round of the survey, and then followed up by what we call a ‘Q’ study, and a ‘Q’ study dives deeper into that question of ‘why.’”
The second round of the survey was completed in fall 2022.
“It’s not a complete replication. Because in the three years in between there’s been so much change in Wyoming regarding development with different energy technologies, we had to adapt and ask people about those newer versions,” Western said.
“[We need to] go deeper, for example, into nuclear energy; start asking about hydrogen gas.”
According to the two surveys, there has been an increase in support for non-traditional energy production, such as nuclear energy and carbon capture utilization.
“Although support for these things has increased, there are still a lot of questions out there,” Western said.
The survey also claims that over the past three years, Wyoming residents have reported the value of “community” being more important than in the past. Western believes this is likely due to COVID-19.
“What we believe to be most important is still absolutely recreation, and secondly community value. I think that’s a reflection of having been through two years of isolation during COVID. All of a sudden the value of community gains strength in our minds,” Western said.
The research team hopes the new data will help legislators and leaders in the energy industry better understand the social license of Wyoming residesidents.
“I’m hopeful this is helpful for legislators, but also for people who are active in the energy industry, for people outside of Wyoming understand where the preferences lie within Wyoming,” Western said.
The full report is available on the School of Energy Resources’ website.
