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N.C. House panel keeps fracking moratorium
RALEIGH — A state House committee soundly rejected an effort to lift the state’s fracking moratorium, signaling a rebuke to the state Senate’s aggressive push to fast-track shale gas exploration in North Carolina.
The legislation had sailed through the Senate three months ago, but in the interim underwent about 30 revisions in closed-door negotiations between lawmakers in the House.
The bill that emerged Wednesday was stripped down to such an extent that its sponsor, Sen. E.S. “Buck” Newton, a Wilson Republican, called it “a step backwards, or two steps backwards.” He suggested it could delay energy exploration by several years.
In its revised state, it widely passed the House Committee on Commerce and Job Development, but could be changed during upcoming House debates.
The legislation had sailed through the Senate three months ago, but in the interim underwent about 30 revisions in closed-door negotiations between lawmakers in the House.
The bill that emerged Wednesday was stripped down to such an extent that its sponsor, Sen. E.S. “Buck” Newton, a Wilson Republican, called it “a step backwards, or two steps backwards.” He suggested it could delay energy exploration by several years.
In its revised state, it widely passed the House Committee on Commerce and Job Development, but could be changed during upcoming House debates.
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Here’s a sampling of what Senate Bill 76, as passed Wednesday by a House Committee, proposes:
Moratorium: Keeps the moratorium in place but allows state agencies to start issuing fracking permits on March 1, 2015. However, the permits would not be effective until the state legislature votes to legalize fracking. If the legislature doesn’t vote, or if the vote fails, then the permits would have no effect.
Waste injection: Eliminates a Senate provision that would have ended the state’s 40-year ban on injecting industrial and chemical waste underground.
Restitution: Directs the Mining & Energy Commission and state agencies to make recommendations for the establishment of a restitution fund to compensate landowners who are damaged by fraud, deception or misrepresentation by the energy industry.
N.C. Mining & Energy Commission: Restores original qualifications, enacted in 2012, that include the state geologist and a member of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission.
Landmen registry: Restores the registry, enacted in 2012, to track oil-and-gas representatives who promote and sign leases with North Carolina property owners. Additionally, includes a fine up to $5,000 for landmen who commit fraud or deception. Failure to register could lead to prosecution as a Class I misdemeanor.
Moratorium: Keeps the moratorium in place but allows state agencies to start issuing fracking permits on March 1, 2015. However, the permits would not be effective until the state legislature votes to legalize fracking. If the legislature doesn’t vote, or if the vote fails, then the permits would have no effect.
Waste injection: Eliminates a Senate provision that would have ended the state’s 40-year ban on injecting industrial and chemical waste underground.
Restitution: Directs the Mining & Energy Commission and state agencies to make recommendations for the establishment of a restitution fund to compensate landowners who are damaged by fraud, deception or misrepresentation by the energy industry.
N.C. Mining & Energy Commission: Restores original qualifications, enacted in 2012, that include the state geologist and a member of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission.
Landmen registry: Restores the registry, enacted in 2012, to track oil-and-gas representatives who promote and sign leases with North Carolina property owners. Additionally, includes a fine up to $5,000 for landmen who commit fraud or deception. Failure to register could lead to prosecution as a Class I misdemeanor.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/05/2941050/nc-house-panel-keeps-fracking.html#storylink=cpy
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