The North Carolina commission that is drafting rules for hydraulic fracturing will host public comment hearings next month.
Members of the Mining and Energy Commission have spent nearly two years writing more than 120 rules. They cover issues including where drilling companies can frack and whether they have to disclose the chemicals they use in the process.
Amy Pickle, the commission's rules chairwoman, says she expects plenty of comments on whether fracking should happen at all.
"I hope that we are also getting detailed and specific comments on the rules, but I in no way want to limit or preclude folks from expressing their opinion," Pickle says. "The most important thing to me is that we try to accommodate as many people who want to express an opinion or their views on the rules as possible."
Pickle says that given the controversy surrounding fracking, she expects hundreds of people at the hearings, which are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman St., Raleigh
- Friday, Aug. 22, 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wicker Center, 1801 Nash St., Sanford
- Monday, Aug. 25, 5 to 9 p.m. at Rockingham High School, 180 High School Rd., Reidsville
Comments are also being accepted in writing through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources website.
The proposed rules and proposed revisions to prior rules are also available on the department website.
