Fracking. It’s a word these days that elicits anger, elation, and confusion. What is it? And why is it dominating news headlines?
In its recap of yesterday’s fracking public hearing, the News & Observer offers a “Fracking 101” clip at the bottom of the article. I recommend checking it out.
Over 30 states currently have some type of fracking operations taking place within their borders. But, this type of energy exploration has given us more questions than answers as different groups have claimed fracking has created public health, environmental, and economic nightmares, from Colorado to Pennsylvania. These articles coupled with first-hand experiences of many North Carolina transplants have put many citizens on edge as our elected officials have fast-tracked fracking to start here.
Check out our Storify from yesterday’s hearing
Part of the rule-writing process for fracking includes four public hearings, giving citizens a chance to weigh in on various aspects of the rules, from environmental considerations to landowner rights to local government control. Yesterday, I along with 600 of my fellow North Carolinians attended the first public hearing housed at NC State’s McKimmon Center.
I had never attended a public hearing before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would there be mass protesting or shouting? Would there be counter-protesting? Would it slip into a situation needing police interference? There were at least a dozen officers stationed throughout the venue.
The short answer: no. Despite some booing, jeering, and responses to speakers touting the benefits of fracking, the crowd assembled inside the Center was civil, thoughtful, and engaged to the last minute.
As three members of the Mining & Energy Commission oversaw the process (Amy Pickle, Dr. Ken Taylor, and James Womack), more than 80 attendees spoke during the four-hour hearing. The vast majority of those who took the mike shared their concerns, frustrations, and opposition to fracking.
Many who spoke requested that the Commission reinstate the moratorium on fracking. Unfortunately, that would be a bit outside of their purview (but not outside of our elected officials hint hint). Most went beyond to actually comment on specific rules, which was the actual intention of this hearing. The three rules receiving the most criticism involved requiring the disclosure of fracking chemicals to the general public; increasing the setback distances for drilling walls from our water supplies; and putting in requirements for monitoring air quality.
Even members from our Raleigh canvassing team spoke, both as representatives of our organization and as concerned North Carolina citizens. Kasey, accompanied by several members of It Matters NC, spoke about their experiences talking with Wake county residents about fracking during their voter registration efforts. The team submitted more than 1200 signed comments from North Carolinians and plan to collect more to submit a total of 10,000 by the September 30 deadline. Check out this great shot:
So what’s next? The next public hearing is tomorrow, August 22, in Sanford with two more to follow in Reidsville (August 25) and Cullowhee (September 12). And then? We’ll wait and see. A member of the public requested yesterday for the MEC to allow additional public comments once the rules were revised, but my guess is this request will fall on deaf ears. Our elected leaders are primed to “review” these rules during the 2015 long session. But, as fast as they lifted the ban on fracking during this short session, I can only anticipate a continuation of this rush to frack.
You can make an impact on these rules, which have implications for your water, your air, and your family. Click here to submit comments on how the rules overseeing enforcement and permitting need to be improved in order to preserve our quality of life.
Written by Katie Paulson, Online Engagement Coordinator, NCLCV. Contributions by Debra Davis Rezeli, Director of Engagement, NCLCV.
