The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
has scheduled a public meeting for Oct. 10 in Sanford as the department
prepares to spend the coming months studying the potential environmental
and economic impacts of shale gas exploration and development in North
Carolina.
Session Law 2011-276 directed
DENR to study the issue of oil and gas exploration in the state and to
specifically focus on the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic
fracturing to extract shale gas. During the study, DENR will conduct at
least two public meetings in the area of the state where a potential
shale gas resource exists.
An internal DENR working group, including staff from the divisions of
Air Quality, Water Quality, Land Resources, Water Resources and Waste
Management, has put together a draft plan for the study. The public
meeting is designed to present this draft plan of study and to receive
input from the public on any additional issues that need to be addressed
in the study.
The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Sanford
at the McSwain Extension Education & Agriculture Center, located at
2420 Tramway Road. Written comments on this draft plan of study will be
accepted through Oct. 18, in addition to any feedback received at the
Oct. 10 public meeting.
Written comments can be sent via e-mail to Shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov; or through the mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, N.C., 27699.
At least one more public hearing will be held during the winter to gather input on the draft study report.
NCDENR has also set up a website that will provide an overview of the
shale gas issue; describe current regulations associated with shale gas
exploration; explain how the department will study the issue (and
provide study results when complete); and guide the public in how to
receive updates on the study, as well as how to provide comment on the
issue. This website can be found by visiting DENR’s home page – www.ncdenr.gov – and clicking on the “Shale Gas” tab near the center of the page.
