The state of North Carolina is undergoing an outside review of its oil and gas regulatory programs. Questions surrounding “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing for natural gas led to the review.
The non-profit reviewing body is called STRONGER – State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations, Inc. It’s made up of state agencies, the oil and gas industry and environmental groups. Wilma Subra is chairwoman of the STRONGER board. She says they’ve reviewed several states so far, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana and now North Carolina.
Wilma Subra: "And we are not only going to do a review of the state’s hydraulic fracturing program, but we’re also going to do a review of the entire oil and gas program in anticipation of shale gas drilling and production occurring in the near future."
The STRONGER panel meeting in Raleigh this week represents Chevron, Trout Unlimited, the Texas Railroad Commission and others. The public is invited to the sessions but can only comment in writing.