Tag: fracking

Fast-track fracking legislation: A solution in search of a problem

May 16, 2012 at 1:33 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Word has it that right-wingers in the General Assembly may use the first days of the 2012 short session to push new legislation to quickly expedite the legalization of  the controversial natural gas drilling technique known as fracking that is currently illegal in North Carolina. (As an aside. environmental advocates will be pushing back next Monday with a “Lobby Night” at the General Assembly).  

Here are a few reasons this is clearly a bit of shameless and misguided political theater: Read More…

Highlights and Lowlights of April 2012

May 1, 2012 at 11:25 amCategory:Uncategorized

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With May settling in, we take a look back at a few moments in the past month of politics and policy issues that really affected North Carolinians: From budget cuts that leave schools with fewer resources to President Obama visiting UNC, to the distracting “culture war” that the General Assembly has thrown at North Carolinians. We’ve compiled these and other moments in the brief video below:

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What are some progressive policy issues you can think of from the past month relating to the state of things in North Carolina? Share with us in the comments.
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Fracking coming to Triangle subdivisions?

April 10, 2012 at 1:33 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Most homeowners assume they own the soil and everything else that’s under their lawn.

But that may not be the case for homeowners in subdivisions built by the giant homebuilder D.R. Horton, which lists more than two dozen neighborhoods in the Raleigh and Greensboro area on its website.

As The Independent’s Lisa Sorg reported here, homeowners in several Triangle-area D.R. Horton subdivisions are finding out from a basic search at county Register of Deeds offices that the mineral rights to the house were split off at the time of purchase from the general deed.

Owning the mineral rights is a Colorado company that’s turns out to be—surpise! — a subsidiary of the homebuilder.

The mineral rights appear to give the energy company, in some cases, the right to drill and extract gas or other substances from below a home’s surface.

Read More…

Still more concerns about fracking

March 27, 2012 at 3:02 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Sue Sturgis at the Institute for Southern Studies has still more news about the worrisome impacts of fracking:

“North Carolina regulators will hold the second of two planned public hearings in Chapel Hill today to gather comments on a recently released draft report that calls for lifting the state’s ban on the controversial gas drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”

The first hearing, held last week in Sanford, N.C., brought out many opponents of fracking who focused on the documented threat such drilling presents to local water quality. Fracking opponents who attend tonight’s hearing plan to wear blue to show support for clean water.

But a growing body of science also raises concerns about fracking’s public-health impacts from air pollution.

A recent study by scientists with the Colorado School of Public Health found that air pollution from gas-drilling operations may cause acute and chronic health problems for nearby residents…”

Read the entire post by clicking here.

 

Fracking foes and fans line up to be heard (audio)

March 21, 2012 at 5:22 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Hundreds of North Carolinians turned out Tuesday evening in Sanford for DENR’s first public hearing following the release of a draft report that deemed fracking can be done safely.

Opponents counter that the 400+ page study only raises more questions about water quality, property and mineral rights, and the disposal of  the waste that would be created.

Supporters believe the controversial drilling practice may hold the key to reducing the region’s double-digit unemployment rate.

Yet another speaker was angry the public was allotted just two minutes to voice their concerns – not nearly enough time to discuss the technical aspects of hydraulic fracturing.

With the next public hearing slated for Tuesday (March 27th) in Chapel Hill, it’s clear that the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources will have more to consider before May 1st, when they are scheduled to deliver their final recommendations to the General Assembly.

To hear a portion of the public comments from the Sanford hearing, click below:

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And as a reminder, written comments will also be accepted through April 1.  (Written comments can be sent via email to Shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov; or through the mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699.)