Sanford residents speak out at public hearing on fracking
SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- People expressed concern about the potential environmental impact of fracking Tuesday evening. The state held the first of several public meetings on the controversial natural gas drilling method in Sanford.
Dozens showed up to hear and talk with members of the Environmental Management Commission. Many of them had questions, concerns and fears.
As they walked in, a lot of them got an anti-fracking flyer from some protesters. Inside, about 50 or so people listened to a brief presentation from the EMC.
They talked less about fracking and more about establishing storm water management requirements for fracking that currently don't exist in North Carolina.
Fracking injects chemicals at a high pressure into rock to extract oil and gas.
The EMC told the crowd new storm water requirements would make storing the water and chemicals safer.
That came before 15 people shared their fears about the solution kept in storage tanks mixing with local streams and drinking water.
"It will happen, and there's not a good way of keeping them apart," said resident Martha Girolami. "There's no good way and we have too many big rain events to even think that that's not going to be happening. Don't you feel it's rushed? It's very rushed. This whole process is very rushed. You know, we're galloping along to put fracking in place."
It was a little less than a month ago that Gov. Pat McCrory signed legislation lifting the moratorium that blocked fracking permits until a state regulatory commission created operated rules.
Right now, they are putting together regulations.
Next month, the state's Mining and Energy Commission will hold a similar public hearing.
Comments from Tuesday's meeting and next month's meeting will be collected in reports for both commissions dealing with the issue, and will be considered as the state comes up with regulations.
People who didn't get a chance to comment, can write the EMC through Aug. 1.
