Tagged: Fracking

Senate lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the state.

A controversial bill that would allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the state passed an important legislative committee yesterday. Fracking uses horizontal drilling methods to access trapped pockets of natural gas. The bill’s sponsors say it will bring much-needed money and jobs into the state, but opponents of the measure say there aren’t enough safeguards.

A bill that could allow natural gas "fracking" to proceed in two years in the state is on its way to the Senate floor. It would allow a controversial method of horizontal drilling for natural gas. The Clean Energy and Economic Security Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee earlier today, despite the presence of protesters who spilled outside the committee room where the bill was being heard. Bill Weatherspoon, who heads the North Carolina Petroleum Council, says fracking will help residents become more independent of foreign energy sources.

Just a few years ago North Carolina state geologists began reporting that prehistoric geologic formations beneath our feet may be good candidates for shale and gas deposits. The only way to release such deposits is through hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” Other states like Pennsylvania and New York have legalized fracking in recent years, but have had to retroactively enact regulations on the practice. North Carolina wants to do it differently.