FACTSHEET: Getting North Carolina Into The Energy Business

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FACTSHEET: Getting North Carolina Into The Energy Business

Published: Saturday, February 7th, 2015 @ 4:19 am
By: Chris Downey ( More Entries )

Press Release:

"As governor, my approach will be to expand agricultural exports, unleash our energy resources, harness new technology in education, create a climate for existing businesses to expand and new businesses to locate and grow jobs while rebuilding our brand." - Governor Pat McCrory speaking at his Inaugural Address

Oil and Gas Exploration off the North Carolina Coast:

Through his role as Chairman of the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, Governor McCrory has continually advocated for environmentally safe energy exploration off of the coast of North Carolina.
- President Barack Obama and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell have agreed to advance an oil and gas leasing program that could include development opportunities in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina.
- Many resource-rich areas located offshore North Carolina within a 50 mile coastal buffer zone remain under lock and key.
- Later this year, two companies plan to safely explore for oil and natural gas off the North Carolina coast using 2D seismic surveying.
According to a study by Quest Offshore based on 2011 reserve data and proposed access to the Atlantic OCS:
$12.3 Billion Annually to the U.S. Economy
165,000 jobs by 2039

Hydraulic Fracturing:

Governor McCrory cleared the way to safe and responsible hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, which will get North Carolina off of the sidelines and into the energy business. According to a study by N.C. State's Dr. Michael Walden, there are many benefits of on-shore energy development in North Carolina, including:
- Close to 500 jobs created from infrastructure development (over a seven-year build-up of facilities).
- $80 million in new annual income created in North Carolina (over a seven-year build-up of facilities).
- Close to 1,500 jobs created from production activities (over a 20-year recovery period).
- Over $150 million in new annual income in North Carolina (over a 20-year recovery period).

Atlantic Coast Pipeline:

In September of 2014, Governor McCrory announced a 550-mile pipeline will transport natural gas from West Virginia to eastern North Carolina.
- It is designed to transport 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
- Gas will be carried through a 42-inch-diameter pipe in WV and VA, and a 36-inch pipe in NC.
A study was conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics indicate that a total economic impact in North Carolina over the construction phase (2014-2019) could result in a $1.2 B investment generating $680 million in economic activity and creating more than 700 jobs.
Having a second pipeline, will strengthen energy assurance, improve price stability and allow further transition from coal to cleaner burning natural gas for power generation.

Contact: Crystal Feldman
govpress@nc.gov

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Gene Scarborough said:

( February 7th, 2015 @ 4:15 pm )

I have strong reservations about offshore drilling especially. I know the promises sound so good, BUT what happens when a drilling rig ruptures as did the one in the Gulf operated by BP? The spilled goo throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The disbursement chemicals are already affecting fish and shellfish in negative and unknown ways for the worst. Their tar balls are already washing up on our Outer Banks.

With the same area perfect for wind electrical generation, why would we want to risk both the Outer Banks and the Gulf Stream in the face of severe storms certain to traverse the Graveyard of the Atlantic? BP was SUPPOSED TO HAVE containment domes over all their wells as an insurance against a blowout---BUT THEY DID NOT!

If you trust Big Oil after they put so much money into electing Senator Thom Tillis, why should they be entrusted with the most pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean all along the Eastern Shores of the US. I just don't see it as a wise move when we know fossil fuels must be replaced with solar, wind, and tidal changes to produce the needed energy.

I believe we can create just as many jobs and income by going other directions far more safe for our lovely state. It is a tourist mecca devoid of oil drilling and potential spills. If you believe fracking is safe, why are the chemicals used now a felony to divulge under the new NC law passed last summer?

The Governor makes good promises, but he was the spokesman for Duke Energy which has put ash dumps on the Haw River which contain many caustic and cancer causing elements in them. They are polluting the heck out of the inland fish. . . now Duke is wanting taxpayers to clean up their mess making big money on energy they sell to us at a substantial profit.

"The LOVE of money is the root of all evil" is simple to say. Our loss of a middle class to the 1% owning 80% of US money is scary. It is not anywhere near being corrected from the Trickle Down VooDoo of the great salesman, Ronald Reagan.