Fracking panel holds its first meeting

The new commission that will write the rules to govern hydraulic fracking holds its first meeting today in Raleigh.

The Mining and Energy Commission is tasked with developing a modern regulatory program for the management of oil and gas exploration and development activities in North Carolina.

Today’s meeting begins with an orientation for members, focusing on public records, ethics and the state’s opening meetings law.

Because of the great deal of interest surrounding this opening session, DENR will broadcast the meeting online. You can find details here.

And here’s a quick glance at who serves on the commission:

Dr. Robert Mensah-Biney
Ex Officio
Chair, N.C. State University Minerals Research Laboratory Advisory Committee

Dr. Kenneth Taylor
Ex Officio
State Geologist and Chief, N.C. Geological Survey

Jonathan Williams
Ex Officio
Assistant Secretary for Energy and Community Assistance, N.C. Dept. of Commerce

Raymond T. Covington
Guilford County
Member of a nongovernmental conservation interest
Appointed by: Speaker of the House

Charles Taylor
Lee County
Elected official of a municipal government located in Triassic Basin of North Carolina
Appointed by: Speaker of the House

William McNeely III
Transylvania County
Representative from the mining industry
Appointed by: Speaker of the House

Charles E. Holbrook
Moore County
Geologist with experience in oil and gas exploration and development
Appointed by: Speaker of the House

George Howard
Wake County
Member of a nongovernmental conservation interest
Appointed by: Senate President Pro-Tem

James Womack
Lee County
Member of a county board of commissioners in county located in Triassic Basin of North Carolina
Appointed by: Senate President Pro-Tem

Ivan “Tex” Gilmore
Beaufort County
Representative from the mining industry
Appointed by: Senate President Pro-Tem

Dr. Vikram Rao
Orange County
Engineer with experience in oil and gas exploration and development
Appointed by: Senate President Pro-Tem

Jane Lewis-Raymond
Mecklenburg County
Representative of a publicly traded natural gas company
Appointed by: Governor

Charlotte Mitchell
Wake County
Attorney with experience in legal matters associated with oil and gas exploration and development
Appointed by: Governor

Amy Pickle
Wake County
Member of the Environmental Management Commission knowledgeable in the principles of water and air resources management
Appointed by: Governor

Dr. Marva Price
Chatham County
Member of the Commission for Public Health knowledgeable in the principles of waste management
Appointed by: Governor