On September 28, 2015,
the Stokes County Board of Commissioners approved a three-year moratorium on
oil and gas development activities using hydraulic fracturing. This temporary
moratorium will prevent the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission (MEC) from
issuing drilling permits that allow shale gas exploration and production within
Stokes County.
On August 17, 2015, the
Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance
instituting a two-year moratorium on oil and gas development activities
requiring the use of hydraulic fracturing. The Board of Commissioners for a
third county – Lee County – also is reportedly
considering the imposition of such a moratorium.
On June 4, 2014, North
Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed the Energy
Modernization Act into law authorizing the issuance of
permits for oil and gas exploration and development activities using horizontal
drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments. This Act lifted a statewide
moratorium adopted in 2012. In May 2015, however, the Wake County Superior
Court enjoined
the state from continuing the drilling permit application process for hydraulic
fracturing. This decision was issued as a result of a claim brought by Governor
McCrory against the General Assembly challenging the constitutionality of the
Act’s provisions governing the appointments of the members of the MEC. The
North Carolina General Assembly has appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
09/29/2015
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