Proposed North Carolina Fracking Law Tied to Koch, Halliburton, and ALEC

[G_j]

http://samuel-warde.com/2014/05/nc-fracking-law-tied-to-koch-bros/

May 20, 2014



The North Carolina General Assembly appears to be re-branding itself as the Chamber of Secrets. Last Thursday, Republicans decided to help Governor Pat McCrory out in defining his ambiguous campaign promise of leading a, “more ethical and accountable government.”

Senator Bob Rucho, champion of honesty, integrity, and establishing a level of confidence in state government, sponsored a bill that would make disclosing chemicals used in fracking a felony. While other states are passing legislation requiring the disclosure of these chemicals, North Carolina Senate Republicans have chosen to be first in the flight away from the eyes of the general public who are concerned about the potential environmental and public health concerns related to fracking.

Speaking of Senator Rucho and the co-sponsors of this bill, all three share something in common. They all received campaign contributions from McGuire Woods, a lobbying firm that represents oil and gas companies, Halllibuton, and Koch Industries.

One thing North Carolinians can be assured of is that whenever an attack on our rights, or in this case public safety and environmental health, is imminent, ALEC is involved. The elected representatives in NC aren’t even being all that creative in coming up with legislation designed to help their friends and hurt the ordinary citizens of our state. According to emails obtained by the environmental group Greenpeace, NC legislators are once again simply copying off ALEC’s paper in regard to protecting big money interests instead of the interests of the citizens they are elected to serve.

Many North Carolina citizens are anxiously awaiting the court-ordered release of the emails related to the erosion of the voting rights, also part of the ALEC agenda, designed to make it more difficult to replace the servants of money with public servants in November.

Also last Thursday, the NC Legislative Services Commission, which hasn’t met in 15 years, decided to meet – just ‘cause.’ The purpose of this meeting, according to Republican members of this commission, had absolutely nothing to do with creating new rules in an effort to impede the Moral Monday demonstrations scheduled to begin four days later.

Governor Pat McCrory and members of the NC General Assembly attempted to paint a picture of Moral Monday organizers and participants as extremists last year. As a result, Moral Monday protesters had a higher favorability rating among the public than did the North Carolina State Legislature.

Pat McCrory likes to throw around the word “activist” like it’s a dirty word. However, instead of dealing with the real dirty problems we have in our state in a straightforward and transparent manner, many NC Republicans seem to be intent on continuing the tradition they started last year of attempting to fly under the public radar in an effort to further their political agenda. It appears ignoring the concerns of ordinary citizens will once again be the trend for summer in the North Carolina General Assembly and the Governor’s office.

Despite efforts to drown out the voices of the ordinary citizens my state government represents, the Moral Monday family turned out by the thousands yesterday to kick off the first event of the 2014 legislative season. Marching into the legislature two by two with tape over their mouths, NC’s teachers, students, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters made it perfectly clear yesterday that we shall not be moved.
“Now – be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm.” – Gilderoy Lockhart, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

<snip>

Emails Reveal North Carolina Officials’ Close Ties With Fracking Lobby Groups

http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/16/emails-reveal-officials-close-with-fracking-lobbyest/

In North Carolina, Halliburton and other fracking industry interests helped write a fracking chemical disclosure bill. But when that bill ended up requiring disclosure of harmful chemicals to the state environmental agency, the bill was killed and replaced with one that further limited disclosure of the chemicals used in fracking.

A cache of emails obtained by Greenpeace has revealed the cozy relationship between the hydraulic fracturing industry and North Carolina’s Mining and Energy Commission.

The Mining and Energy Commission (MEC) was set up after an errant vote by a state senator legalized fracking in North Carolina. Because the state had not seen oil and gas drilling in recent history, the Mining and Energy Commission was tasked with writing oil and gas regulations, specifically for fracking. The 15 members of the MEC propose regulations for fracking which are then passed on to the North Carolina legislature to be turned into law.

Emails and meeting schedules from members of the North Carolina’s Mining and Energy Commission reveal how various fracking companies and national lobby groups, including America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), Energy in Depth (EID), Halliburton and Koch Industries, influenced the Mining and Energy Commissioners, in regards to disclosure of chemicals used in fracking.

..more..

[The Blue Flower]

1. These ALEC puppets are ignoring an important fact

North Carolina is well-known for what's called the Research Triangle and its universities. There are many well-educated people in the state who simply will not be fooled or intimidated.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

12. We're waaaaay beyond that.

The Republican takeover in 2010 and 2012 is killing this state. And Dems outvoted Rs in straight-party voting both years.

[Bandit]

15. If that were truly the case NC would not be dominated by Republican dictators

Republicans don't Govern.. Governing takes compromise and being able to work with all sides in any situation. Republicans Dictate, it is their way or the Highway. They are always correct and NEVER need any advice from Anyone....I can think of no time in recent history when Republicans have ever suggested they may have been wrong about something.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. With gerrymandering it apparently takes almost

Three dem votes to equal one rep vote, so I'm told.

[appal_jack]

2. Massive K&R! nt

[tosh]

3. One more K&R.

[JPZenger]

4. Very important issue. Shine the spotlight on them.

[octoberlib]

5. Huge K&R!

[Fred Sanders]

6. If anyone knows what is in the chemicals, in detail, then revealing them and being prosecuted would

make that person a national hero, defence attorneys would flock to the case.

Bring it on Kochs.

[G_j]

9. good point

Though I'm not sure that those laws banning people from exposing factory farm abuses have gotten a lot of attention. I'm curious if anyone has been prosecuted under those laws.

[Supersedeas]

20. maybe it is just a matter of time

[vkkv]

7. Idiots

Hey, if corporations kill off most of the people in N.Carolina, they won't have to pay them the minimum wage!

And thanks N. Carolina for making Cliamte Chage illegal, that really helps.

[aggiesal]

8. Who are they kidding? ...

Some other state will have more transparency and will list of chemicals used,
a national publication will run the story and it will be on the internet, if it isn't already.

Plus if damage is done on waterways that cross over statelines, then it becomes
a federal issue.

[KoKo]

10. Huge Recommend...Thanks for this post G_j!

[G_j]

11. and,

“The felony provision is far stricter than most states’ provisions in terms of the penalty for violating trade secrets,” says Hannah Wiseman, a Florida State University assistant law professor who studies fracking regulations.

The bill also allows companies that own the chemical information to require emergency responders to sign a confidentiality agreement. And it’s not clear what the penalty would be for a health care worker or fire chief who spoke about their experiences with chemical accidents to colleagues.

http://billmoyers.com/2014/05/21/north-carolina-gop-pushes-unprecedented-bill-to-jail-anyone-who-discloses-fracking-chemicals/

[Dustlawyer]

13. K&R!!! This is the root of the problem, the big money corporations

have the money to legally buy our legislatures. There is no Representative Democracy except for the rich! We need to demand Publicly Funded Elections to stop this stuff!
Wolf-PAC.com!!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. Surpris surprise surprise

[KamaAina]

16. I'm shocked. Shocked.

To find out that lobbying is going on in this establishment.

[littlemissmartypants]

17. Hey G_j would you consider posting this in the

NC area if not already done?
Love, Peace and Shelter. Lmsp

[G_j]

19. no problem

done