NC House Passes Clean Energy & Economic Security Act | Eastern NC Now

    Below is the Speaker’s press release concerning hydraulic fracturing. I voted for this bill and I am very happy for the people of North Carolina because of this bill. It initiates the process for establishing the regulatory structure to allow hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina. Although it will take at least 2 & ½ years to complete the regulatory structure and studies required by this bill; at the end, the state will be in good shape to start issuing drilling permits. This new industry will create many jobs and wealth not only in the counties where drilling occurs but all through out the state, not to mention the new source of tax revenue that will take some of the burden off the rest of the state.

    Some folks are concerned about the safety of hydraulic fracturing. However, this technique of gas and oil recovery has been used since the early 1940’s and thousands of these deep wells have been drilled around the world with little problem. There was even a pamphlet that talked about this drilling technique being used in North Carolina in 1927. The current technology and best practices has been shown to make this drilling method almost without problem and the regulatory and study bill we just passed will ensure the highest of environmental safety standards in the world.

    I and other Republicans listened to many hours of Democrat opposition to this bill. They are afraid of this technology and want to study and regulate it to death. We incorporated most of their concerns in the bill but no matter what we did, it was never enough. I am very proud of our bill. It was carefully crafted. Our legislators even visited Pennsylvania hydraulic fracturing sites and talked to many experts. They spent over a year developing this bill. I believe our regulations will be the standard for the nation.

   For Immediate Release:

NC House Passes Clean Energy & Economic Security Act

House passes bill to set regulations and timetable for hydraulic fracturing

     Raleigh     The North Carolina House on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 820, the Clean Energy and Economic Security Act, with a vote of 66-43. The bill clears the way for hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina, while setting up strict controls and regulations for the process.

    “For too long, North Carolina has fallen behind in the renewable energy business sector,” said House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg). “Hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs can be created by a conservative approach to a robust renewable energy policy. This bill opens the door to a new job-creating engine in a conservative, responsible way.”

    The bill’s primary sponsor was Rep. Mitch Gillespie (R-McDowell), who has worked toward an agreeable solution on renewable energy for much of his tenure in the House. “This bill goes to great lengths to ensure that environmental standards are followed and takes every possible precaution against concerns raised by the stakeholders involved,” Gillespie said. “Our state has trailed for far too long; the time to move forward in North Carolina is today.”

    Rep. Mike Hager (R-Rutherford), who is co-chair of the Public Utilities Committee and the House Republican freshman leader, has been a leading advocate of legislation authorizing the use of hydraulic fracturing. “Today, the House took a bold step for job creation and energy progress,” Hager said. “This bill opens up an entirely new job sector in North Carolina, and will bring other industries into the state as well. This bill is the first step toward making our state a national leader in renewable energy production, which will result in badly-needed economic development throughout North Carolina.”