NC passes fracking law, seeks taxpayer subsidies for industry

[G_j]

http://www.southernstudies.org/2014/06/nc-passes-fracking-law-seeks-taxpayer-subsidies-fo.html



This week North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signed into law a bill that opens up the state to fracking for natural gas. The Energy Modernization Act will allow drilling permits to be issued 61 days after the state Mining and Energy Commission approves final rules for the industry, which is expected to happen by next summer.

The new law breaks a pledge from legislators that they would review and approve the rules before the state's drilling moratorium could be lifted. Environmental advocates also criticize the law for failing to adequately address the risks associated with fracking and for weakening safeguards. Supporters claim it will boost North Carolina's economy.

"We have watched and waited as other states moved forward with energy exploration, and it is finally our turn," McCrory said in his announcement of the law's signing at North Carolina State University. "This legislation will spur economic development at all levels of our economy, not just the energy sector."

Standing by McCrory's side as he signed the bill were legislative leaders who played key roles in the push for drilling, including Rep. Mike Hager, a Rutherford County Republican and former Duke Energy engineer. Besides leading the legislative drive to allow fracking in North Carolina, Hager has also led an effort -- unsuccessful so far -- to kill the state's renewable energy standard, calling it a form of "corporate welfare" and an "entitlement program."

But it turns out that North Carolina's Republican leaders are now seeking taxpayer-financed "corporate welfare" for the oil and gas industry -- even though the five biggest drilling companies alone hauled in $93 billion in profits last year. As The News & Observer of Raleigh reports:

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[onecaliberal]

1. Not only no but hell no.

I want my tax dollars to help feed the poor and provide healthcare and assistance to those who can't find a job. If these states want to destroy the planet and poison their water they should pay for it themselves.

[marions ghost]

2. More backward legislation in NC

And look how it's being promoted in general:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2014/09/03/north-carolina-is-the-new-ground-zero-in-the-fracking-debate/

Yet NC doesn't even have significant amounts of Marcellus shale:

[nc4bo]

3. Damn them for damning us.

Greedy, corrupt bastards the lot of them!