NC needs to be cautious on offshore drilling and fracking

The Wilmington Star News, in an editorial, said it better than we could: North Carolina needs to move very cautiously on offshore drilling. According to the editorial, according a study recently released by Duke University's Center on Global Change researchers found a correlation between fracking and methane content in well water in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The editorial also pointed out that the drilling of a single well can produce over a million gallons of waste water containing hazardous chemicals. Also, the water used for fracking can use water supplies during a drought.

As for offshore drilling, the editorial argued that it can happen here. An accident similar to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill would blacken our beaches with crude oil. Coastal communities are concerned about the effect on tourism and fishing.

Largest Landfill Gas-to-Energy program in the state kicks off

The Sampson Independent reports here on the landmark partnership between Gregory Poole Equipment Company, Progress Energy and Waste Industries to produce electricity from the methane produced in the Sampson County landfill to power 4,000 homes for an estimated 70 plus years.

This project has recently been deemed by the U.S. EPA "as an endeavor that will effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality…and develop a lasting renewable source of energy. Annual environmental benefits are…equivalent to taking 5,400 passenger vehicles off the road, the carbon dioxide emissions from 66,300 barrels of oil consumed, or carbon sequestered annually by 6,100 acres of pine forest.

For a photo of ground breaking a year ago, with Gregory Poole Jr., Dix Park advocate, in this EPA link .

Business and environmental groups fight over regulation

The Charlotte Observer reports on the differing views of regulation held by businesses and groups such as the N. C. Chamber and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club. Molly Diggins, director of the NC Sierra Club, is pictured and quoted as saying "We would be prohibited from looking out for North Carolina's best interests in deciding what we need in the way of environmental protection," under proposals to prevent new state environmental regulations.