Reference sites

The links below are compiled here for quick reference to websites, organizations, agencies, advocacy groups, and media sites that have much deeper information on hydraulic fracturing and shale gas extraction. This list will likely expand, so check back on occasion.

North Carolina references:

• NC Mining and Energy Commission, charged with approving regulations on mineral extraction. Included at that portal on NCDENR’s website is the list of stakeholders that are assisting with the regulation forming process, the bios of MEC members, the committees they have formed, and the study groups.
• SESSION LAW 2012-143, Senate Bill 820: the legislation charging the Mining and Energy Commission to develop regulations for fracking in NC.
• SESSION LAW 2011-276, or House Bill 242: the legislation that instigated the study of fracking in NC.
• The NC Geological Survey Information Circular #36 that describes the geological explanation of where natural gas is most likely found in the state.
• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Shale Gas study website describing the study to be conducted, which includes links to current regulations and public input.
• NC Department of Justice, a.k.a., the State Attorney General’s office, information on fracking, including “Summary of Landowner and Public Protections” in SB 820,  “Landowners Rights” factsheet as it pertains to oil and gas leases, and what to look for in terms of mineral rights when buying property. Also see the department’s findings as part of the DENR Shale Gas Study released in May 2012.
• The registry of landmen for NC (as long as SB 76 does not remove it).
• Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions published a recommendation to NC policy-makers, “Considering Shale Gas Extraction in North Carolina: Lessons from Other States.”
• The ‘Fact Sheet’ format of the Nicholas Institute recommendations.
• Information on property rights put together by Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI). Here are the comments on landowner/consumer protection that RAFI provided NC DENR as part of the assessment.
• Two additional pieces from DENR/NC Geological Survey worth reviewing: a ‘fact sheet’ summary of the shale gas potential in Lee and Chatham counties that includes information on existing infrastructure, and a copy of the slideshow presentation on shale gas potential that was presented to the Environmental Review Commission.
• A ‘interview’ on YouTube with the lead researcher of peer-reviewed study of well contamination near hydraulic fracturing sites in Pennsylvania done by Duke – includes a nice background explanation of fracking.
• Fracking “issue tracker” on WRAL (individual reports have links to passed/proposed bills, video of legislature debate if available, and news clips)
• “The Daily Frack” is a switchboard of fracking related information maintained by the North Carolina Sierra Club.
• Informational links on Natural Gas Leasing in North Carolina via NC State University Agriculture and Resource Economics – includes presentation on what people should know about leasing their mineral rights, evaluating lease proposals, and information on frauds targeting senior citizens.
• Lee County (NC) Cooperative Extension Service website for Natural Gas Exploration.
• Lee County (NC) GIS/Strategic Services website with searchable GIS map that includes layer of properties with mineral rights leases.
• Lee County (NC) Register of Deeds
• Chatham County (NC) Register of Deeds
• Moore County (NC) Register of Deeds

Beyond North Carolina

Federal-level information:

• The Natural Gas Subcommittee of the U.S. Secretary of Energy – established in May 2011 – and the final report issued in November 2011.
• The Energy Policy Act of 2005 [see section 322]
• Controversial EPA draft results of water quality study in Wyoming that links contamination to hydraulic fracturing activity.
• EPA press release announcing their study on coal-bed methane and shale gas.
• A ‘wiki’ from the DOE on hydraulic fracturing – includes numerous links to state studies and reports.

National-level information from coalition or industry groups:

• FracFocus serves as “the hydraulic fracturing chemical registry website. This website is a joint project of the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.” (copied directly from their homepage) Note, this site has information on specific fracking well sites that reports the frac fluids used, the length/depth of the well, and the total volume of water used.
• FracTracker “provides you with a common place to learn about & share your shale gas drilling experiences.” (copied directly from their homepage) Note, this site has a nice table of reported violations (at least in Pennsylvania), as compiled by the state, at specific fracking well sites.
• Information from the American Petroleum Institute (API) on Oil and Natural Gas. API also provides best management guides for hydraulic fracturing (and other energy fields).
• Energy-in-Depth’s “Just the Facts” on Hydraulic Fracturing
• Chesapeake Energy’s explanation of fracking
• Marcellus-Shale.us is a huge clearinghouse of references and information; though a lot of information on this site leans towards advocacy against drilling, it contains a lot of public-access data on well sites and permits, public hearings, etc.
• Tom Wilber’s blog on Marcellus and Utica shale gas development.
• Energy Policy Forum is an endeavor started by Deborah Rogers, a financial analyst in Texas, to examine the range of energy policy options in the context of the market push for greater reliance on shale gas.
• US Energy Information Administration.

National-level information from advocacy groups:

• Food and Water Watch clearinghouse on Fracking.
• Environmental Working Group portal to oil and gas issues.
• Sierra Club Compass on Fracking in the context of a “clean energy future.”

National-level (and some state-level that crosses state lines) media sites:

• StateImpact – a coordinated ‘clearinghouse’ of information on fracking in Pennsylvania (though has some stories from other states as well) through NPR and local media. Includes some other great reference sites, including…
• ProPublica’s clearinghouse on fracking
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Pipeline: your source for Marcellus Shale coverage & community“
• Scranton Times-Tribune Northeast Pennsylvania Gas Drilling site.
• 60 Minutes piece on Fracking.
• PBS Newshour piece.
• This American Life issue 440 ‘Game Changer’ on Fracking. Two stories, each with different perspectives: academia differing on emphasis, and issues faced by local government staff with industry relations.
• Diane Rhem Show dedicated to the topic of Hydraulic Fracturing.
• Huffington Post: Fracking.
• Author Seamus McGraw
• U.S.Map from NPR documenting the location of shale gas and and convention natural gas drilling areas.
• GASLAND – website promoting the film and blog of filmmaker Josh Fox.

Academic, educational, or institutional resources:

• Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research
• Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center – this site has a couple publications on the workforce needs assessment and the economic impact of shale gas drilling.
• Paleontological Research Institute at the Museum of the Earth, Ithaca, NY: The Marcellus Papers.
• Cornell University Cooperative Extension Natural Gas Resource Center
• Cornell University Green Choices: a compilation of research and policy papers to equip communities to make informed decisions about energy options.
• University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute: this is a comprehensive resource on energy resources, including deep water drilling, nuclear, and hydraulic fracturing. The institute conducted a study (access the draft of the report here) to examine the link between water contamination and hydraulic fracturing which found no direct link, but found related activity responsible for contaminating water resources – the study is quite extensive, reviewing media coverage/portrayal, public perception, regulatory framework at the federal and state levels along with the range of environmental impacts.
• …and this is a closely related issue, though it’s much broader than hydraulic fracturing: if you know any climate change skeptics, this is the reference site for you: Skeptical Science. This site lists all the arguments that skeptics present, and then provides the peer-reviewed scientific explanation to debunk each of those arguments.

State agency regulations, guidance, information, and/or reviews:

• State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations (STRONGER)
• Ground Water Protection Council
• Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has a good site on hydraulic fracturing.
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas Resource Management.
• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ‘Drilling for Natural Gas in Marcellus and Utica Shales‘
• The New York Department of Environmental Conservation released its revised “Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement” in mid-January 2012. Website includes links to economic impact assessment done by an outside consultant and links to numerous supporting documents, webinar of press conference, and background information used in developing the final document.

…and for fun:

• The Fracking Song.
• The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss.

-BT