Information on hydraulic fracturing
With recent information from the N.C. Geological Survey suggesting that North Carolina may have extensive natural gas underlying the Deep River geologic basin, which extends from Granville County southwestward across several central NC counties and in to South Carolina, North Carolinians have raised many concerns and questions. Landowners, business owners, and citizens alike want to understand how land leases work, what economic benefits their communities may receive, and whether they can expect other impacts on their communities, including any potential environmental impacts of natural gas production using hydraulic fracturing. The Institute hopes to begin to provide as much non-biased information as possible on hydro-fracking so that members of our communities can gain a better understanding of all of the potential risks and rewards of natural gas production from hydro-fracking in our state. Please continue to check our website for new information such as studies, news, and proposed state policy as they becomes available.
Resources
NC state government reports
- NC DENR Shale Gas Overview/Introduction
- NC DENR Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing: An Overview of Permitting Systems in Seven Oil and Gas Producing States
- NC DENR North Carolina Oil and Gas Study under Session Law 2011-276
- NC Attorney General's Office Report: Impacts on Landowners and Consumer Protection Issues
Reports/Presentations from universities
- UNC CEHS seminar "Hydrofracking: Public Health Issues and Impacts," presented by Dr. Trevor Penning, the Director of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Pennsylvania. View archived webcast
- Slides from Dr. Larry Murdoch's presentation on January 31, 2012, "To Frac or Not to Frac? Risks and Rewards of Natural Gas Production from Shale," are now available to view online (PDF)
- Duke University's 2011 Fracking Study
- NC State review
- Cornell Study: Impact on greenhouse gas concentrations due to methane release during fracking:
Federal government reports
Local government studies/reports
Durham Environmental Affairs Board study on potential environmental impacts of fracking