State senators have passed a bill that would promote a controversial method of extracting natural gas popularly known as fracking. Senate Bill 709 would also open the coast to offshore natural gas drilling in conjunction with other states. Republican Senator Bob Rucho is the bill's main sponsor.
Bob Rucho: "It requests the governor make an effort with Virginia and North Carolina in joining a compact and developing the necessary plans to determine whether there is significant resources of natural gas off the coast of North Carolina and also in places like Moore County where there is shale gas potential."
Experts say there are significant deep shale deposits containing natural gas in many central North Carolina counties. But opponents of the measure say studies show the deep drilling can release harmful chemicals into local water supplies. The measure passed the Senate 38 to 12 and now goes to the House.