On April 18th, state Senator Bob Rucho, working with state Representative Mike Hager, unveiled a bill that would establish an entirely new bureaucracy – an oil and gas commission – and legalize fracking this summer, with a brief moratorium in place while rules are crafted. Local ordinances that prohibit or place restrictions on oil and gas exploration . . . → Read More: Senator Rucho’s 2012 Proposal]]>

Hydraulic fracturing could have major impacts on NC's water, air, land, and communities. Contact your senator today!

On April 18th, state Senator Bob Rucho, working with state Representative Mike Hager, unveiled a bill that would establish an entirely new bureaucracy – an oil and gas commission – and legalize fracking this summer, with a brief moratorium in place while rules are crafted. Local ordinances that prohibit or place restrictions on oil and gas exploration and development activities would also be declared invalid if this bill comes to law.

Contact your state Senator and Representative today and urge them not to support Sen. Rucho’s proposed legislation on hydraulic fracturing. Legalizing fracking now has no near term benefits, threatens NC landowners and taxpayers, does not ensure drilling would be done safely, and is downright irresponsible. Learn about what the proposed bill would do.

To find your Senator go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/ and click on”Who Represents Me?”

To read the full proposal click here (starts on page 37).

The recent DENR hearings in Sanford, Chapel Hill and Pittsboro have caused quite a buzz among NC residents. CWFNC was blown away by these alternative conclusions and recommendations written by Lenore Yarger, a Chatham County resident. Lenore’s family is part of the Silk Hope Catholic Worker community, where she homesteads sustainably and works for peace and justice.

“I share the dismay, confusion, and suspicions of many over the conclusion of . . . → Read More: Commentary: Shale Gas Study Conclusions]]>

Lenore Yarger, Siler City.

The recent DENR hearings in Sanford, Chapel Hill and Pittsboro have caused quite a buzz among NC residents. CWFNC was blown away by these alternative conclusions and recommendations written by Lenore Yarger, a Chatham County resident. Lenore’s family is part of the Silk Hope Catholic Worker community, where she homesteads sustainably and works for peace and justice.

“I share the dismay, confusion, and suspicions of many over the conclusion of your draft report.  As I know DENR is busy and has limited time for their revision, I have helped by writing a new conclusion, which I think better reflects their own research and public opinion expressed at these hearings.  Please feel free to use it in its entirety. 

Conclusions and Recommendations
After reviewing other studies and experiences in oil and gas producing states, as well as our own data, DENR believes that hydraulic fracturing cannot be done safely in North Carolina, even if the proper regulations are in place.  This conclusion is based on the following evidence:

1. lack of data regarding long-term health effects of fracking on human health and existing evidence of current health effects;
2. exorbitant water usage and the uncertainty whether the state can meet the water needs of the industry without hurting residents and existing businesses;
3. mounting evidence of drinking water contamination caused by fracking in both groundwater supplies and aquifers;
4. promises of jobs that are limited, short-term, and uncertain;
5. the absence of both an evaluation of consumer protection concerns available for public comment and an assessment of potential environmental justice impacts;

Read More!

In conclusion, DENR calls for an immediate and permanent moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina. DENR further recommends that any resources considered for additional exploration of the feasibility of fracking in the state be rerouted to truly sustainable energy and the development of  renewable resources.”

Lenore Yarger, Siler City

The possibility of hydraulic fracturing in the state has caused some homeowners to think twice about whether they own what’s underneath their homes.  Lisa Sorg (Independent Weekly) reports that mineral rights to properties at many homes built by D.R. Horton were split off at the time of purchase to a Colorado energy corporation. This is a suspicious practice in a state that does not have a history of oil and gas production. . . . → Read More: Do You Know Who Owns the Mineral Rights Under Your Home?]]>

Photo by Lisa Sorg

The possibility of hydraulic fracturing in the state has caused some homeowners to think twice about whether they own what’s underneath their homes.  Lisa Sorg (Independent Weekly) reports that mineral rights to properties at many homes built by D.R. Horton were split off at the time of purchase to a Colorado energy corporation. This is a suspicious practice in a state that does not have a history of oil and gas production.  The article “Does a developer’s sale of mineral rights to an energy company foreshadow fracking?” sheds light on what signing off mineral rights could mean for homeowners and for the real estate market.

“For the past two years, D.R. Horton has sold the mineral rights—and the right to drill, mine, store and explore for them—to its Colorado-based energy company on at least 425 of its lots in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill and other Triangle cities, according to deed records. Coincidentally, the transactions began occurring in the summer of 2010, around the time the push began to legalize fracking in North Carolina.” …

“D.R. Horton is required to disclose the status of the title, including any legal documents such as mineral rights, said Janet Thoren, legal counsel for the N.C. Real Estate Commission, which licenses and regulates real estate agents. The placement in the sales contract and the timing of the disclosure are also important. (Sales contracts aren’t public record, so the Indy could not review one.) If homeowners know before closing about the mineral rights sale, then they may have little recourse. But, Thoren said, notification” at closing, that may not be sufficient. Closing may not be soon enough to make an informed decision.”

That’s when a third homeowner said she became aware of the mineral rights deed. “I wish I had known earlier,” she said. “But it didn’t stop me from going ahead and purchasing the house.” She said she is aware of mineral rights because she owned them under a former home in Orange County. When she bought her home in Brightleaf, she said she was told that drilling “would most likely never happen.”

This raises the question: If it would likely never happen, then why would D.R. Horton sell the mineral rights to its energy company?

“Anyone who learns that it was in a developer’s interest to separate their mineral rights should be very skeptical of statements from them that drilling for gas or other use of the mineral rights is ‘unlikely,’” said Hope Taylor, executive director of Clean Water for North Carolina, which is on the forefront of the anti-fracking movement. “Folks just aren’t aware of how much control of their lives they can lose if extraction happens, and it can have major impacts on their neighbors, too.”

Links to other coverage:

The Herald Sun: “Builder sells homes without mineral rights”

DR Home builder consumer complaints

ABC News: “Durham homebuilder keeping mineral rights on homes”

The NC Environmental Management Commission is proposing to issue a “Special Order by Consent” for the Mayo Plant, allowing Progress to discharge higher amounts . . . → Read More: Mayo Coal Plant – Comment Today]]> Progress Energy operates two large coal-fired power plants in Person County. The Mayo Steam Electric Plant discharges to Mayo Lake, a popular place for boating and fishing. However, the power plant discharges large amounts of harmful metals into the lake….Mercury (a neurotoxin), Boron, Thallium, Manganese (a neurotoxin at high doses), and Selenium.

The NC Environmental Management Commission is proposing to issue a “Special Order by Consent” for the Mayo Plant, allowing Progress to discharge higher amounts of these metals without penalty while Progress studies and constructs a new treatment system. Your comments are needed by April 6, because the deal lacks solid deadlines, and the plant could have exceptions on the amount of metals they pour into Mayo Lake for 5 years under the current plan! Comment Now.

A special public info session on oil and gas exploration will be held in Chatham County.

Staff from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources . . . → Read More: Chatham County Hearing Scheduled]]> Recently, two NC House members showed that they paid attention to your concerns by leading an effort to slow down hydraulic fracturing. Read more: Two state House Republicans call for delay of fracking in N.C. (Raleigh News and Observer)

A special public info session on oil and gas exploration will be held in Chatham County.

Staff from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources will summarize the report and receive comments from the public.  Written comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. April 2 and may be sent to shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov; or by  mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699.

For more information, view this flyer or contact Haw River Assembly at info@hawriver.org

The next hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 27th in Chapel Hill. We encourage all who plan to speak to arrive by 5:15PM in order to sign up. 

After reviewing the over-400 page report released by DENR last Friday, eight groups planning a press conference for Tuesday say the conclusion that hydraulic fracturing “can be done safely provided the right protections are in place,” is simply not supported by the information in report . . . → Read More: Advocates, officials hold press conference in Sanford tonight]]> “CONCLUSIONS” OF DENR REPORT DON’T FIT THE FACTS
Groups and Local Elected Officials to Hold Press Conference Tuesday, March 20, 5:50 PM
Dennis Wicker Center Lecture Hall, 1801 Nash St. Sanford, NC

After reviewing the over-400 page report released by DENR last Friday, eight groups planning a press conference for Tuesday say the conclusion that hydraulic fracturing “can be done safely provided the right protections are in place,” is simply not supported by the information in report itself.

Speakers at the press conference will point to issues raised by the report that contradict the conclusion given, to critical information on studies relevant for North Carolina that is lacking from the report, and to the extreme complexity of the local control, economic and environmental issues raised by hydraulic fracturing. Perhaps most evident in the report is the overwhelming lack of readiness of state officials and agencies to manage an oil and gas program.

Confirmed speakers for the press conference include:

• Mayor Darryl Moss, Creedmoor, Granville County
• County Commissioner Sally Kost, Chatham County
• Mayor Randy Voller, Pittsboro, Chatham County
• Luke Cranford, Cumnock Preservation Assoc., Lee County
• Therese Vick, Anson County Water, Air, Land and Lives
• Joe McDonald, President, Save Our Sandhills, Moore County

Tuesday, March 27th Chapel Hill, 6:30-9:30 PM – East Chapel Hill H.S. Auditorium, 500 Weaver Dairy Rd. (map)

Update: The NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) just released a 6 month study of the potential shale gas resources and possible impacts on NC communities. We need YOU to come and share your concerns!

Draft Executive Summary Draft Recommendations and Limitations

Please come and speak briefly or support . . . → Read More: Don’t Miss A Chance to Speak Up on Possible “Fracking” in NC]]> Tuesday, March 20th Sanford, 6:30-9:30 PM – Dennis A. Wicker Center, 1801 Nash Street (map)

Tuesday, March 27th Chapel Hill, 6:30-9:30 PM – East Chapel Hill H.S. Auditorium, 500 Weaver Dairy Rd. (map)

Join us for a Citizen’s Activist training on hydraulic fracturing in NC. We’ll provide a quick issue update, walk through our plan to convince state leaders to maintain North Carolina’s prohibitions on fracking and share key skills that will help keep North Carolina frack-free! To RSVP please contact CWFNC at (919)401-9600 or email maribel@cwfnc.org

Sponsors: Environment NC, CWFNC, Haw River Assembly, NC . . . → Read More: Activist Workshop in Cary]]> Wednesday, March 14, 6-9 PM 

Page Walter Arts and History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC (Map).

Join us for a Citizen’s Activist training on hydraulic fracturing in NC. We’ll provide a quick issue update, walk through our plan to convince state leaders to maintain North Carolina’s prohibitions on fracking and share key skills that will help keep North Carolina frack-free! To RSVP please contact CWFNC at (919)401-9600 or email maribel@cwfnc.org

Sponsors: Environment NC, CWFNC, Haw River Assembly, NC Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch and Neuse River Foundation.

Presenters will include Elizabeth Ouzts of Environment NC, Jessie Miller of Public Interest Network and Hope Taylor of Clean Water for NC.