Background factsheets on proposed North Carolina fracking rules

The NC Mining & Energy Commission has proposed a package of 120+ rules establishing a regulatory framework for shale gas development - fracking - in North Carolina.  The Commission is holding four public hearings and accepting public comment on the proposed rules through Monday, September 15.  We've collected the factsheets below, from several organizations, addressing various aspects of the proposed fracking rules, in hopes that these will be a useful resource if you're planning to comment.

NCCN comment letter: fracking stormwater rule

The comment period just closed (Aug. 1) for public input on the NC Environmental Management Commission's proposed rules to manage stormwater at shale gas development (fracking) sites.  The main package of fracking rules - proposed by the NC Mining & Energy Commission - remains open for comment through Monday, Sept. 15.

In brief, our comments urge the EMC to:

Emerging contaminants and groundwater

A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey of 118 groundwater wells in Minnesota found contaminants of emerging concern in over a third of water samples.  Roughly half of North Carolinians get our water from groundwater, and this study has interesting lessons for our state.