On June 04, 2014, Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina signed a bill into law allowing hydraulic fracking within the state, lifting a moratorium that has blocked fracking permits since 2012. Fracking in North Carolina can begin as early as next year.
The Act also prevents local governments from adopting “any local ordinance that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting oil and gas exploration, development, and production.” It further criminalizes the disclosure of fracking chemicals or substances used by oil and gas companies. Anyone who knowingly or negligently releases this information may face a felony conviction or civil damages. However, the bill creates an exception for providing information to “first responders and medical personnel in the event that the information is deemed necessary to address an emergency.”
McCrory stated the law will spur economic development at all levels of North Carolina’s economy, and that it contains safeguards to protect the environment. According to his statement, a 2013 poll conducted by Harris Interactive found that the majority of state voters favored fracking.