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.

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.

In North Carolina, no remedy for long term contamination from fracking?

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court released its opinion in CTS v. Waldburger, a tort claim brought by neighbors of the CTS Superfund site in Asheville.  The court held that the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, or Superfund) does not preempt North Carolina's 'statute of repose', N.C.G.S. §1-52(16), which requires that a person injured by the actions of another sue within 10 years of the final injury or give up the claim.  As a result, the Court dismissed the case brought by the neighbors, leaving them without a way remedy to recover damages from the company.