Today @NCCapitol (March 10): Redistricting, 'fracking' bills headline the day

Rep. Mike Hager, R-Rutherford, said Monday night that he would try again to push the amendment, which would remove a requirement that the state's Environmental Management Commission adopt air quality standards for drilling operations exploring for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing, which is often called "fracking." When that amendment failed last week, his colleagues grumbled that he had sprung the legislation on them unannounced and not clearly explained.

"Current rules to oversee natural gas development fail to address equipment leaks and harmful air pollution caused by the natural gas industry," said David Kelly, senior analyst with the Environmental Defense Fund.

Of the Pendleton measure, he said, "This bill provides clear direction to the EMC to develop rules that can help protect our communities and families from dangerous air pollution. With permitting set to begin soon, state decision-makers must waste no time developing rules to protect the air we all breathe. This bill helps to address one of several gaps in the state's natural gas rules."