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The fracking conversation this session
Republicans say they're going slow but critics are disappointed they're moving forward on gas drilling at all.
Posted — UpdatedBy Mark Binker
Wednesday's news conference by Rep. Mitch Gillespie, a Marion Republican, was not the first word on hydraulic fracturing and natural gas exploration in North Carolina. It certainly won't be the last. But it was important because it set the stage for the discussion over energy exploration lawmakers will have this year.
Gillespie laid out the rough outline for a bill that he plans to run during the May legislative session that would pave the way for natural gas production through fracturing. Although there are some differences on the fine details, that approach seems to have the support of both House and Senate leaders.
For those who don't know, the shale beneath Lee and Chatham counties (and to a lesser extent, Rockingham County) contains deposits of natural gas. To get at those reservoirs, companies would need to use a combination of processes that many refer to as "fracking." Companies drill down to the layer they want and then turn their drills 90 degrees to drill horizontally. A combination of small explosions fractures the rock and water, chemical and grit are pumped into the fissures.
This process is controversial, with opponents saying that fracking in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio has been associated with well water contamination and small earthquakes. Proponents point out fracking has been a part of oil and gas exploration for years -- although not quite at this scale -- and contend the process is safe if done properly.
In a report issued earlier this month, officials with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that fracking could be done safely if a series of precautions were taken. While this upset fracking opponents, those who say natural gas could bring an economic boon to North Carolina took it as a green light to push ahead.
Enter the politics: Mostly liberal Democrats have aligned themselves with environmental advocates who say that fracking is dangerous. Among Republicans, the "drill baby drill" ethos prevails, but there have been differences of opinion over the past year between Gillespie and Sen. Bob Rucho, a Matthews Republican and the leading fracking proponent in the Senate. Rucho's camp has wanted to push faster and harder on fracking while Gillespie has been characterized as a "go slow" guy among Republicans.
I wrote yesterday here and here about the fact that the two now say they're on the same page despite using different language about the path forward. Gillespie still uses the word "study" a lot and Rucho says the time for study is over.
But taking at face value the House and Senate Republicans (as represented by Gillespie and Rucho) are mostly in agreement about what needs to be done, here are the notes from Wednesday that struck me as important:
- There's apparently a draft bill, but Gillespie isn't sharing it yet. He says it will be filed on the first day of session but be changing between now and then. Without some firm text, we're talking about concepts and bill drafters aren't always able to encode everything anticipated in legislative language.
“There’s no question that this controversial form of gas drilling poses threats to our water, our air, and our quality of life," wrote Elizabeth Ouzts, state director of Environment North Carolina. "Unfortunately, the legislative proposal presented today presumes that fracking can be conducted safely in the state, despite a 444-page study from state environmental regulators that suggests quite the opposite. Further study of fracking should focus on evaluating the size of the resource in North Carolina and whether extracting it is worth exposing our waters, our air, and the health of our citizens to inevitable increased pollution.”
Jane Preyer of Environmental Defense Fund sounded a similarly cautious note. "Current gas production practices impose unacceptable impacts on air, water, landscapes and communities," she said. "The public's right to clean water and clean air cannot be compromised. North Carolina will need strong rules and enforcement. We can learn from the experiences of other states, and we can do better."
"If it can be done safely and protect the environment, protect the public health ... If all those concerns can be met, I'm for it. But I haven't been convince yet and I haven't been convinced by DENR's study...I just want to tread safely and slowly because there's no rush, there really is no rush."
In a statement yesterday, Perdue's office confirmed that she had met with Rucho and Rep. Mike Hager on the issue and she sounded tentatively supportive. She did stop short of handing the General Assembly a blank check.
"If done safely, fracking can be part of a larger energy solution to create jobs and help lower costs," Perdue Spokeswoman Chris Mackey said. "Before we permit anyone to “frack” in North Carolina, however, we must hear from all sides, address all issues, and develop a robust set of rules. During the meeting with Senator Rucho and Representative Hager, Governor Perdue made clear that those rules must put every necessary precaution into place to protect our drinking water and safeguard the health and safety of every single North Carolinian. The rules must also protect the interests of landowners and address the needs of county and municipal governments. The Governor is eager to work with her colleagues on both sides of the isle to create jobs and address the important issues raised in this industry.”
That's it for now. If you're inclined, take a listen to the video of Gillespie's news conference and let me know what you hear.
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