The political economy of Vermont's anti-fracking movement. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scarcioffolo, Alexandre R.; Shakya, Shishir; Hall, Joshua C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of public finance and public choice. Volume 36:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: anti-fracking -- Vermont -- median voter -- special interests -- D72 -- D73; Economics -- Periodicals; Finance, Public -- Periodicals; 336.005
• DOI: 10.1332/251569120X15814140463976
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-6918

Abstract

Abstract : In 2012, Vermont became the first state in the US to ban hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and oil production despite having zero known natural gas reserves. We evaluate the role of legislator and median voter characteristics on Vermont General Assembly voting outcomes on Act 152, which essentially bans fracking in the state. Using a double-selection post-Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator approach, we find evidence that campaign donations and being a member of the Democratic Party are positively related to voting to ban fracking. Median voter characteristics appear not to play an essential role in shaping legislator voting behaviour, corroborating the theory of expressive voting on the decision to ban fracking in Vermont.