North Carolina House Approves Measure To Authorize Hydraulic Fracturing Permits

摘要

North Carolina regulators would be able to issue permits for hydraulic fracturing beginning in March 2015 under a bill (S.B. 76) approved by the state House of Representatives June 7. The Senate now will have to consider changes to its version of S.B. 76 that were made by the House. One of the more significant differences in the House version is that the permits would require specific approval by the state Legislature before they can take effect. Both versions call for regulators to develop a permit covering all oil and gas exploration and development activities, urge the governor to work with the governors of South Carolina and Virginia to establish an offshore energy policy compact, and create an emergency response fund for spills stemming from offshore energy exploration or production activities. The legislation also would impose a new severance tax and alter a state energy policy council.