First North Carolina Fracking Regulation To Take Effect as Measure to Block It Expires

摘要

A North Carolina regulation authorizing and regulating hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas will take effect March 17. The hydraulic fracturing rule, the state's first, was opposed by environmental groups but supported by most state legislators and the state oil and gas industry. It covers permitting, safety, location, waste storage, water usage and other issues related to drilling activities. The state Mining and Energy Commission approved the regulation in November 2014 (45 ER 3398, 11/21/14). Legislation introduced in the General Assembly to disapprove the rule (H.B. 76 and S.B. 72) as of March 16 appeared certain to fail. The measures had to pass by March 16, 60 days after the rule's approval by the state Rules Review Commission, Jamie Kritzer, a spokesman at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), told Bloomberg BNA.