N.C. bill would make it a felony to disclose fracking chemicals

[cali]

People who disclose confidential information about hydraulic fracturing chemicals in North Carolina would be subject to criminal penalties and civil damages, under a bill in the state Legislature.

The "Energy Modernization Act," which was introduced yesterday, would make it a Class I felony to disclose trade secrets related to hydraulic fracturing, while spelling out how the information is supposed to be provided to emergency workers. Class I is the lowest-level felony, punishable by a few months' imprisonment.

"It is very concerning," said Hope Taylor, executive director of Clean Water North Carolina. "That could have a very chilling effect on folks in the agencies who want to help emergency responders."

It's the latest twist in North Carolina's quest to write rules allowing drilling and fracking for natural gas. The state has a potential shale field called the Deep River formation, but it passed a moratorium on development until it can establish regulations to control the industry.

The state's Mining and Energy Commission, which is writing the regulations, drew criticism earlier this month when it rejected a proposal on chemical disclosure under pressure from the oil and gas industry, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. The subcommittee's proposal would have allowed exemptions from disclosure for chemicals that are trade secrets. But the chemical companies would have been required to submit the information under seal to the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

<snip>

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059999688

[Historic NY]

1. Nothing wrong here....

[newfie11]

2. It gets crazier and crazier

So anyone getting sick from them has no idea what's in that crap and that limits how doctors can treat.

[theHandpuppet]

3. They must have gotten their inspiration from Ohio

Check this out:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1071801 (Ohio group)

Thread:
http://grist.org/news/epa-tells-ohio-to-stop-keeping-fracking-secrets-from-first-responders/

EPA tells Ohio to stop keeping fracking secrets from first responders
By John Upton
27 June 2013

Ohio firefighters, cops, and local officials might soon learn a little bit more about the poisons that frackers are storing and injecting into the ground beneath their feet.

The U.S. EPA told the state that a 12-year-old Ohio law that lets the fracking industry conceal information from emergency-management officials and first responders violates federal law. From The Columbus Dispatch:

"The state law, passed in 2001, requires that drilling companies share information about hazardous chemicals only with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which is supposed to keep the information available for local officials.

But federal EPA officials take a different view. A letter mailed in May to state emergency officials and environmental activist Teresa Mills states that the Right-to-Know Act of 1986 supersedes the Ohio law...." MORE at link

[NutmegYankee]

4. How is a crime punishable by few months' imprisonment a felony?

Last i checked that was known as a misdemeanor.

[cali]

9. I don't think duration of imprisonment is what defines what is and isn't a felony

[NutmegYankee]

10. That was the common distinction between the two.

I have a real problem with "felony" creep in our laws as we make mundane things into felonies. People forget that conviction of a felony is a permanent entrance into second class citizenship, in some cases making you unable to vote for the rest of your life among other loses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony

[Ilsa]

5. Profits before people in these states. nt

[reformist2]

6. I'm sure they use all the same chemicals. Someone post the list and let's make the list go viral.

If it's common knowledge what chemicals these guys are using, then nobody can be thrown in jail for discussing them.

Trade secrets, my ass.

[hobbit709]

7. Are there still any doubts as to who owns the government?

[woo me with science]

8. And this is even *before* they get the TPP.

This is just the beginning, folks...

[woo me with science]

11. K&R