North Carolina and Fracking

Frack Target: Sanford, Cumnock and Pekin Formations

Legislation is in the works to overhaul the state’s oil and gas laws, which would open the door to fracking in North Carolina. As proposed, legislation would directs rule-making to an industry friendly commission hijacking authority from local governments, which could undermine the safety of residential areas exposed to fracking practices. Furthermore, the shale composition in North Carolina is much different than other states that permit fracking. While Pennsylvania’s shale is two miles thick, North Carolina state reports indicates the distance between shale gas reserves and drinking water is less than a half-mile in some areas, which could pose increased risks to local drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing in the state’s potential shale gas deposits could impact water supplies for an estimated 2.4 million people.

Below is a map of some of the high profile incidents ("fraccidents") related to the country's gas drilling boom that have already occurred. Click on any fraccident to learn more.

View Fraccidents Map in a larger map

Information Sources:

• http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/05/31/nc-lawmakers-promise-more-fracking-protections
• http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/05/20/2075217/fracking-in-north-carolina-could.html
• http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/fracking_in_north_carolina/maps
• http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/fracking-interests-spent-heavily-to-influence-nc-lawmakers/Content?oid=3076325