NC symposium will address issue of fracking

Environmental advocates, industry representatives and members of the academic community will speak at the meeting between 9:30 a.m. and noon.

Municipal representatives will also have a chance to ask questions about how fracking could impact communities in North Carolina. 

In some states, fracking is in widespread use and has resulted in new sources of energy, jobs and profits for landowners.

In other states, however, lawmakers are considering bans on the process because of worries that the chemicals used in the liquid that splits rocks and releases natural gas could leak into and contaminate groundwater. 

Although North Carolina currently has no natural gas production, geologists say six North Carolina counties have the potential for it, with the best prospects in Lee County. Shale rock in the Deep River basin also runs through parts of Chatham, Durham, Granville, Moore and Wake counties. 

The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources is studying the issue of fracking and whether it should be allowed under state law. Its report is scheduled to be ready when the Legislature resumes its work in May.