The regulatory agency of state government that the fracking bill sets up looks more like a "greasing the skids" agency stacked with people who have a vested interest in getting at that shale gas as quickly as possible, never mind the consequences.
One of those supposed "regulators," appointed by Speaker of the NC House Thom Tillis, Ray Covington, issued a statement to WRAL that seems to be saying, "Sure, I have a conflict of interest, but people on regulatory boards are supposed to have a conflict of interest." Which, we guess, is the newest version of the Republican philosophy of public service.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
NC Now on the Fast Track To Fracking
Labels:
corporate power,
environmental issues,
Thom Tillis
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Money to fund the new "fair and balanced" commission's work is coming from the gas and oil industry.
Completely off topic but I was perusing the Watauga Repubs blog site and came across this: http://wataugarepubs.blogspot.com/2012/07/us-will-sign-gun-control-treaty-on-july.html Do these guys just repeat everything that Limbaugh, Hannity, Morris and their ilk say? Its complete BS of course. http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/untreaty.asp
You would be hard pressed to find any of the conservative posters thinking over there.
US Insurer Won't Cover Gas Drill Fracking Exposure
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/07/12/us/ap-us-gas-drilling-insurance.html?_r=1&ref=news
Nationwide said risks involved in fracking operations "are too great to ignore" and apply to policies of commercial contractors and landowners who lease property to gas companies.
"After months of research and discussion, we have determined that the exposures presented by hydraulic fracturing are too great to ignore. Risks involved with hydraulic fracturing are now prohibited for General Liability, Commercial Auto, Motor Truck Cargo, Auto Physical Damage and Public Auto (insurance) coverage."
It said "prohibited risks" apply to landowners who lease land for shale gas drilling and contractors involved in fracking operations, including those who haul water to and from drill sites; pipe and lumber haulers; and operators of bulldozers, dump trucks and other vehicles used in drill site preparation.
In late 2010, Houston-based driller Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. settled for $4.1 million with residents of Dimock, Pa., over gas found in their water. State environmental regulators determined Cabot contaminated the aquifer underneath homes with explosive levels of methane.
>regulators determined Cabot contaminated the aquifer underneath homes with explosive levels of methane.
Yep, the process is safe as houses. We just have to regulate it, no problem. So move along, Folks, there's nothing to see here. No, siree.
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