North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue on Sunday vetoed legislation that would have lifted a ban on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and opened the door to shale gas exploration in that state.
Perdue, a Democrat, said she supports shale gas exploration and fracking, but that a measure approved by the Republican-led legislature in June to permit the practices would not ensure adequate environmental protections.
It’s the second time in as many years the governor has put the brakes on Republican efforts to push fracking and shale gas exploration in North Carolina, where it is currently not permitted.
In early May, Perdue created a work group to develop guidelines to allow it. The bill approved on a party-line vote a month later would have repealed the ban and established a panel to oversee shale gas exploration.
Perdue said in a veto message she supports energy policies that create jobs and lower costs for businesses and families, but that the state shouldn’t act too quickly.
Can Perdue not make a few human sacrifices to alleviate environmental concerns or form a Union of Concerned Governors?
In the meantime people need cheap reliable energy, the foundation stone of distributed public wealth and job creation. It is only a criminal or dictator that would stop the public at large from benefiting from this incredible source of energy.
No human sacrifices are necessary. The plain fact of the matter is that there is no evidence that fracking has any negatives greater than those of plain drilling. Proper oilfield management is already monitored by the agencies, and there really isn’t and basis to the panic.
I don’t recall the NC economy being strong enough for the governor deny the income and jobs that may be derived from enhanced gas production. The state has faced a long and serious decline in major industries such as textiles, paper and furniture. Quite possibly the state has waited so long that the price of natural gas is low enough that developing new gas sources is less economically attractive now. Looks like the state will wait until the next administration to find out.
It is amazing how supposedly well educated Americans can spout gibberish. What would “environmental concerns” mean to a nitwit. The Governor of Pennsylvania, a guy, is just as bad.
Perdue is a lame duck. Polls were so bad, she is not running for re-election.
What environmental hazards is she afraid of? If this is the case, why does she not simply set a fire under the NCDENR to make some governing regulations? It’s not like this is new, and it’s not like this is unusual.
VOC emissions are still regulated
NOx emissions are still regulated
Groundwater contamination is still illegal, and the agencies have a wide range of authorities to enforce it.
RCRA still exists and waste must be properly taken care of.
What does she think will happen that is not already covered under the law?
I suppose the only up side to this nonsense is the over-supply of natural gas will start to dwindle and North Dakota, Wyoming and states that do frack can make big bucks from the people. I’m sure those in North Carolina and elsewhere don’t mind paying a lot more for energy and the states that do frack are happy to soak up that extra money for their state fiscal needs. Ignorance/stupidity is not cheap to maintain…….
“I’m all for [fill in the blank]. Just not now.” – the Dhimmeroid mantra of the century.