Updated 7 March 2013
The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) represents the State Geologists of the 50 United States and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1908, AASG seeks to advance the science and practical application of geology and related earth sciences in the United States and its territories, commonwealths, and possessions.
Registration of Landmen: required by SESSION LAW 2012-143 SENATE BILL 820 landmen must register with DENR.
NC Mining and Energy Commission – Lee County Commissioner Jim Womack, elected Chairman of NC Mining and Energy Commission – September 28, 2012
SESSION LAW 2012-143 – July 2, 2012
SENATE BILL 820
(1) Reconstitutes the mining commission as the mining and energy commission, (2) requires the mining and energy commission and other regulatory agencies to develop a modern regulatory program for the management of oil and gas exploration and development activities in the state, including the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for that purpose, (3) authorizes horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, but prohibit the issuance of permits for these activities pending subsequent legislative action, (4) enhances landowner and public protections related to horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and (5) establishes the joint legislative commission on energy policy.
The intent of the General Assembly is to establish a modern regulatory program based on the following principles:
(1) Protection of public health and safety.
(2) Protection of public and private property.
(3) Protection and conservation of the State’s air, water, and other natural resources.
(4) Promotion of economic development and expanded employment opportunities.
(5) Productive and efficient development of the State’s oil and gas resources.
Science or Soundbite? Shale Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Induced Earthquakes
June 4, 2012
USGS briefing presentation at the National Center in Reston during The Science in Action lecture series. Showcases some of the studies and research that USGS scientists are conducting related to natural gas.(53 minute video)
Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the East Coast Mesozoic Basins
June 4, 2012 The USGS estimates a mean of 3,860 billion cubic feet of gas and a mean of 135 million barrels of natural gas liquids is available in the five basins that were quantitatively assessed; the Deep River, Taylorsville, Richmond, Dan River, South Newark basins. Deep River estimates for recoverable, undiscovered oil and gas resources are 1,660 billion cubic feet of gas or 83 millions barrels of natural gas.Vermont first state to ban fracking
May 16, 2012
Sanford Herald Article - May 17, 2012
NC State Economist - May/June 2012
“Shale Gas in North Carolina: Issues in Law, Economics and Policy”
by Theodore A. Feitshans, Extension Associate Professor and
Brandon King, Extension Associate
Water Testing Has Started in Lee County News Article from WRAL
Lee County Environmental Affairs Board
Collective Advice on Hydraulic Fracturing in Lee County
May 7, 2012 Lee County Commissioner Meeting
NC Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office Issues Consumer Protection Report on Fracking
North Carolina Oil and Gas Study under Session Law 011-276:
Impacts on Landowners and Consumer Protection Issues
May 1, 2012
For questions about this report, contact Noelle Talley (919) 716-6413 or email ntalley@ncdoj.gov
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Issues Final Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
FINAL Report – May 1, 2012
FINAL Executive Summary (305k)
FINAL Recommendations and Limitations (372k)
FINAL Summary of Public Comments (388k)
For questions about this report, contact Trina Ozer (919) 707-8605 or email trina.ozer@ncdenr.gov
Lee County Commissioners Back Fracking
Sanford Hearld – Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Lee County Commissioners’ proposed Resolution (adopted April 2, 2012) in support for the extraction of natural gas in North Carolina – Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting – April 2, 2012, 3pm.
Impact Fees For the Shale Gas Industry in Pennsylvania
Two webinars recently held by Cooperative Extension in Pennsylvania examined the impact fees of the shale gas industry passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law on February 14, 2012. The legislation is known as “The Unconventional Gas Well Impact Fee Act”, or Act 13. Two webinars were recorded and are 90 minutes in length.
“What the Public Needs to Know about the New Shale Gas Impact Fee: Act 13,” aired March 15 and offered a broad overview of the impact fee components of the act, including the fee schedule, the decision facing counties and municipalities, if the counties don’t act, how dollars will be allocated, and how local governments can use them.
“What Local Officials Need to Know about the New Shale Gas Impact Fee: Act 13“, aired March 22. This presentation was more technical in nature, breaking down the act for county leaderships in order to create, update and implement ordinances focused on the local control and planning aspects of the act.
NOTE: In order to view these webinars you may need to become a “Friend of Penn State” and create a digital identity.
Other webinars on Natural Gas in Pennsylvania are also posted.
Triangle J Council of Governments
Hydraulic Fracturing: Practical Considerations and First-Hand Experience
1:30pm-4:30pm,Thursday, March 29, 2012
McSwain Extension Center, Lee County Farm Bureau Auditorium
2420 Tramway Rd, Sanford
Space is limited – register today. To register, e-mail “RSVP Fracking” to mdorrel@tjcog.org,
or call 919.558.2706
Well Water Testing and Seismic Monitoring Updates
Seismic, well-water testing under way – April 7, 2012
Well Water Testing and Seismic Monitoring – March 19, 2012
March 28, 2012 – Dr. Wagner reports that 9 of the 12 seismic monitoring sites are up and running.
DENR Natural Gas Public Hearings
DENR Natural Gas Public Hearing – (audio) – April 2, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.at the Barn at Fearrington Village
The meeting starts at about 7 minutes and 40 seconds into the recording
Due to a computer or network glitch at the Chapel Hill site,
the video stops for about 8 seconds 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the event.
Written comments on the draft report will be accepted through April 2, 2012. Written comments can be sent via email to Shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov; or through the mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699.
DENR Natural Gas – Draft Report – March 16, 2012
Public meetings to discuss the draft report will be held at the Dennis A Wicker Civic Center in Sanford on March 20, 2012, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The second public meeting has been scheduled for March 27, 2012, and will take place in the auditorium of East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The same information will be presented at both meetings, and public comments will be accepted at both meetings as well as via mail and email.
Public Forum: “Exploration for Natural Gas and the Future of NC, a Scientific Perspective” – Friday, March 23, 2012 at Turner Auditorium located in D. Rich Hall, Campbell University. Forum is free to the public. The North Carolina Academy of Science will host. NCAS promotes public appreciation of science, science education, scientific research and a meaningful role for science in public policy.
North Carolina General Assembly’s Senate Energy Policy Issues Committee
Study strategies that will increase energy production and efficiency within the State to develop a secure, stable, and predictable energy supply in order to facilitate economic growth, job creation, and expansion of business and industry opportunities in a way that protects and preserves the State’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and quality of life.
February 15, 2012
- Commissioner Jim Womack’s Presentation
- Dr. Ray Covington’s, NC Oil and Gas, Presentation
- Dr. Jim Foster’s, Chair or Lee County Enviromental Affairs Board, Letter
- Other Presentations given this day
Natural Gas: Well Water Testing Program
February 9, 2012 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Description of local aquifersProper well construction and well protection
Overview water sampling plans for parts of Lee and Chatham Counties
Groundwater sampling: previous studies and future opportunities Permission letter to sample well water
Sponsored by: NC Cooperataive Extension, USGS, Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, Chatham County Public Health, Lee County Public Health and NCDENR
Both sessions will be held at the McSwain Extension Education and Agriculture Center
Presentations – February 9, 2012
- Ground Water Quality Sampling – Melinda Chapman, USGS
- Ground Water Sampling: Past studies and future opportunities – Adrian Down, Duke University
- Wells – The Basics – Mike Papay, Lee County Environmental Health
- Central North Carolina Seismic Survey – Dr. Laura Wagner, UNC-Chapel Hill
Natural Gas Leases: Know What You Are Signing
November 8, 2011 4:00pm and 7:00pm
Introduction to the Geology of Shale Gas Concerns about Current Leases Ownership of Mineral & Water Rights Lease Terminology and NegotiationsCo-sponsored by: RAFI and North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Lee CountyNovember 10, 2011 4:00pm and 7:00pm
Physical Impacts on the Land Impact on Present Use Value What’s Going On in Pennsylvania?Co-sponsored by: RAFI and North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Lee County
All classes will be held at the McSwain Extension Education and Agriculture Center
Presentations – November 8 & 10, 2011
- Leasing Mineral Rights and Present-Use Value Considerations – Brandon King, NCSU
- Leasing Your Mineral Rights, Should you sign on the dotted line? – Brandon King
- Mineral Rights Leasing in North Carolina - Jordan Treakle – RAFI-USA
- Physical Impacts on the Land - Ted Feitshans, NCSU
- Environmental and Safety Issues Associated with Shale Gas Production – Ted Feitshans
- Checklist For Reviewing Lease Forms – Ted Feitshans
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Public Meeting on N.C. Shale Gas Study
6:00 pm October 10, 2011 McSwain Extension Education CenterTo see the webcast from the public meeting in Sanford about the oil and gas study, follow this link: https://denr.ncgovconnect.com/p63969818/
Natural Gas Workshop – April 26, 2011
Presentations – April 26, 2011:
- Evaluating Oil & Gas Lease Proposals – Ted Feitshans, NCSU
- Zoning & Natural Gas Production in Lee County - Brandon King, NCSU
- State Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing – Aurana Lewis, Duke University
- SHALE GAS FUNDAMENTALS - Vikram Rao, Research Triangle Energy Consortium
Handouts – April 26, 2011
Legislation Relating to Natural Gas:
- SENATE BILL 820 – Clean Energy and Economic Security Act
- HOUSE BILL 242 – Natural Gas/Bonds/Fees/Studies – ratified and signed by Governor 6/23/2011
- SENATE BILL 709 Energy Jobs Act – vetoed by Governor 6/30/2011
Natural Gas Exploration: What You Need to Know
June 16, 2010
Natural Gas Exploration video, taped June 16, 2010 at the McSwain Extension and Agriculture Center, please click here
Handouts – June 16, 2010
Natural Gas Resources:
- Natural Gas Leasing in NC (NC Cooperative Extension)
- Landonwer’s Rights and Mineral Leases In NC (RAFI-USA)
- 1945 Oil and Gas Conservation Act – Article 27, G.S. 113-378 through 113-415
- NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) – Shale Gas
- Shale Gas and America’s Future a 30-minute video that looks at how local communities in Pennsylvania are dealing with the potential benefits and risks of shale gas development.
- Map of Mesozoic Basins in NC
- Penn State University – Cooperative Extension Natural Gas Resources
- Bradford County Pa – The “Heart of Endless Mountains Region in Northeastern Pennsylvania” Natural Gas information – Since 2008 Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in Bradford County has increased by 20% and has hundreds of natural gas wells drilled. Information ton their web site is designed to help residents and visitors understand the development of the industry and how it may affect the county and state.
- Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States – A Primer
- Clean Water for NC
- Cumnock Preservation Association
- An in-depth review of the North Carolina environmental regulatory programs – February 2012 – STRONGER’S (State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations Inc) report finding: In the event that shale gas exploration and production is permitted in North Carolina, formal standards and technical criteria should be developed as part of an oil and gas regulatory program. View the FINAL North Carolina report.
- Lee County Environmental Affairs Board – Questions on Fracking Issues
February 10, 2012 Letter presented to Legislative Select Committee on Energy Independence and Alternative Fuel. Issues and concerns identified by the Lee County Enironmetal Affairs Board are outlined in this letter written by Jimmy Foster, chair of the Environmental Affairs Board.
Articles and letters of Interest relating to Natural Gas
- Gas Leases: Know Your Rights - Sanford Herald – May 23, 2012
- Ownership of Lee County natural gas rights muddled - Raleigh News and Observer
- The shale gas boom: Energy exploration in Carolina - Fayetteville Observer
- As fracking looms, property owners test well water – Raleigh News and Observer
- Chamber Endorses Fracking – Sanford Herald
- DENR: With Safeguards, Fracking is Ok In NC – Raleigh News and Observer
- Fracking proponents, opponents heard at hearing – Sanford Herald – March 21, 2012
- Lee County EDC supports the initial study performed by DENR – March 21, 2012
- Hundreds attend second hearing – Sanford Herald – March 28, 2012
