MOSCOW, August 25 (RIA Novosti) - The North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission is hosting a public meeting Monday to give local residents a chance to voice their concerns about possible new state fracking regulations.
North Carolina fracking opponents plan to hold a “Frack Free NC rally” in front of Rockingham County High School in Reidsville, where the meeting is taking place.
In June, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a bill into law that would allow oil and gas companies to get permits for fracking in the state as early as next spring. Before the law goes into effect, the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission decided to hold public meetings to get feedback on the proposed fracking rules.
Nearly 700 people attended the commission’s first two meetings held in Raleigh and Sanford last week. Most of the speakers who addressed the commission were opposed to fracking.
The fourth, final meeting is scheduled to take place at Western Carolina University on September 12.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of extracting oil and gas from underground shale rocks by injecting them with water, sand, gravel or chemicals. It is a highly controversial method known for its side effects on the environment, including water pollution and earthquakes.
