About FrackFree NC

FrackFree NC (FFNC) is a network of grassroots organizations who believe that shale gas development using “fracking” and horizontal drilling cannot be done without bringing harm to our waters, land, air, communities and public health. We are working to keep North Carolina frack free!

This webpage is a resource for people, organizations and local governments to learn more about fracking, to find documentation, and to connect with others in NC involved in this issue.

Clean Water for NC is the fiscal sponsor for FrackFree NC and is responsible for managing the content on this page. Learn more about the Alliance’s partners below.

<p>You can find contact information for the groups that make up the Frack-Free NC alliance on our <a href="https://cwfnc.org/ffnc-partners/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>partners page</strong></a> by visiting their individual websites.</p> <p>If you believe that shale gas development using “fracking” and horizontal drilling cannot be done without bringing harm to our waters, land, air, communities and public health, and wish to join the Frack Free NC Alliance, send your name, organization and contact information to Christine Diaz at <a href="mailto:christine@cwfnc.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">christine@cwfnc.org</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Clean Water for NC serves as the fiscal sponsor for the FrackFree NC Alliance.</strong></p> <p>Please visit our <a href="https://cwfnc.org/donate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Donate</strong></a> page to support the Alliance's work (Designation: "FrackFree NC"). You may also send a check with "FrackFree NC" in the memo line to:</p> <p>Clean Water for NC<br /> 1070 Tunnel Road<br /> Bldg. 4, Ste. 1<br /> Asheville NC</p>
<p><a href="https://cwfnc.org/join-our-email-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sign up to receive weekly NC Energy Digests!</strong></a> The advocacy alerts explore news and events related to coal & coal ash; pipelines, oil & gas; biomass & biogas; plus utility rates, environmental justice, climate change, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">You can expect to find out about public hearings related to permits for energy facilities and utility rate cases. We’ll also let you know about any relevant events hosted by NC community or advocacy groups to help hold polluters and government agencies accountable.<b></b></p>

History

Review a condensed history of the legislative rush to allow fracking in North Carolina.

Partners

FFNC consists of dozens of grassroots organizations across North Carolina! If you would like to join the Alliance, please send an email to christine@cwfnc.org

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline

FFNC was incredibly involved in the fight against the fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline and its impacts on Environmental Justice communities and drinking water sources from the start.

Resolutions & Ordinances

Resolutions and ordinances against hydraulic fracturing from dozens of North Carolina towns and municipalities.

Working with Local Governments

It may seem intimidating to approach local officials to urge them to pass an ordinance or resolution, but with the right approach, the whole process can be quite empowering.

NC Oil & Gas Commission

The NC Oil and Gas Commission is responsible for adopting rules on oil and gas exploration in North Carolina.

<ul> <li><a href="https://psr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/compendium-8.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compendium of Scientific, Medical and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking and Associated Gas and Oil Infrastructure</a> - Eighth Edition, 2022</li> <li><a href="https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Energy%20Mineral%20and%20Land%20Resources/Energy/documents/Shale%20Gas/Shale%20Gas%20Report%20Final%20amend.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Carolina Oil and Gas Case Study</a> - under Session Law 2011-276</li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/EST_impacts-of-shale-gas-wastewater.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duke Univ: Impacts of Shale Gas Wastewater Disposal on Water Quality in Western Pennsylvania</a></li> <li><a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/29/fracking-waste-drinking-water-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fracking Waste Puts Americans' Drinking Water at Risk </a>- <em>EcoWatch, July 2014</em></li> <li><a href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/664499.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Injection wells and drinking water risks:</a> <em>Government Accountability Office, July 2014</em></li> <li><a href="http://environmentnorthcarolinacenter.org/reports/ncc/fracking-failures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil and Gas Violations in Pennsylvania and what they mean for the U.S.</a> - <em>Environment North Carolina, March 2015</em></li> <li><a href="http://www.earthworksaction.org/files/publications/WastingAway-FINAL-lowres.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earthworks report on the mismanagement of fracking waste in 4 states</a>. April 2015</li> <li><a href="http://environmentalintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/FRACKINGS-TOXIC-LOOPHOLE.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fracking's Toxic Loophole: report</a></li> <li>NC WARN Report:<a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Duke-Fracking-Report-Summer-Internship-at-NC-WARN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Duke’s Fracking Up the Climate! Connecting Hydraulic Fracturing in North Carolina to Climate Change and Duke Energy</a></li> <li>Clean Water for NC Report: <a href="https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.231/h92.6ca.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Velasco-Methane-and-Climate-Assessment-Final-10-15-19.pdf?time=1637002479" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Estimated Direct and Indirect Emissions from the Operation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline</a></li> <li>Clean Water for NC Report: <a href="https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.231/h92.6ca.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/initialpdfs/High-Consequence-Areas-Blast-Zones-Public-Safety-along-the-ACP.pdf?time=1637002479" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Consequence Areas, Blast Zones and Public Safety Along the Atlantic Coast Pipeline</a></li> <li><a href="http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1307866/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Environmental Public Health Dimensions of Shale and Tight Gas Development</a> - Aug. 2014. <em>Environmental Health Perspectives</em>. Good resource for a general audience.</li> <li class="p1"><a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10934529.2015.992663" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Human exposure to unconventional natural gas development</a> <em>Journal of Science and Health, April 2015</em></li> <li class="p1"><a href="http://gdacc.org/2012/01/10/radon-in-natural-gas-from-marcellus-shale-by-marvin-resnikoff-radioactive-waste-management-associates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Radon in Natural Gas from Marcellus Shale</a><a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/science-lags-as-health-problems-emerge-near-gas-fields" target="_blank" rel="noopener">,</a> by Marvin Resnikoff, Radioactive Waste Management Associates</li> </ul>
<ul> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Fracking-Threatens-NC-6-17-15.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fracking Threatens NC</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/FrackingOurKidsFutureFINALPDF-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fracking Our Kids' Future</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Fracking_impacts_map_NC_3-16-15-31.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Map: All Shale Gas Impacts in NC</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/pipeline_handout_04-03-15.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is the Atlantic Coast Pipeline?</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Working-with-Local-Govt-to-Protect-from-Fracking.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Working with Local Governments to Protect from Fracking</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/factsheet_fracking_WNC_10-01-14.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Could Fracking Come to Western NC?</a><a href="http://https//frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/factsheet_fracking_WNC_10-01-14.pdf"> </a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Economics_factsheet_3-23-15-ND.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economics of Fracking Factsheet</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/WVphotos.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Photos from Frack Free NC trip to West Virginia Host Farms, 2015</a></li> <li><a href="https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/fracking-informational-toolkit.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tool-kit: Science, Democracy & Fracking</a> by the Center for Science & Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists</li> </ul>
<ul> <li><a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/in-fracking-fight-a-worry-about-how-best-to-measure-health-threats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Worry About How to Best Measure Health Threats</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/chesapeake-energys-5-billion-shuffle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chesapeake Energy's $5 Billion Shuffle </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/feds-link-water-contamination-to-fracking-for-first-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feds Link Water Contamination to Fracking for First Time</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/DRILLING_DOWN_SERIES.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Times "Drilling Down" Series</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/us/for-oil-workers-deadliest-danger-is-driving.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadliest Danger Isn't at the Rig but on the Road</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/us/drilling-down-fighting-over-oil-and-gas-well-leases.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learning Too Late of the Perils in Gas Well Leases</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/fracking-health-risk-asthma-birth-defects-cancer-w517809" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking – Fifth Edition</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/us/27gas.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Behind Veneer, Doubt on the Future of Natural Gas</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us/26gas.html?_r=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider Sound Alarm Amid Natural Gas Rush</a></li> <li><a href="http://theconversation.com/the-false-promise-of-fracking-and-local-jobs-36459" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The False Promise of Fracking and Local Jobs</a></li> <li><a href="http://bssa.geoscienceworld.org/content/early/2015/01/01/0120140168.abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earthquakes Induced by Hydraulic Fracturing in Poland Township, Ohio</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/oklahoma-earthquakes-linked-fracking-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Study Links Oklahoma Earthquakes to Fracking</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/04/11/150440356/quakes-caused-by-waste-from-gas-wells-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quakes Caused By Waste From Gas Wells, Study Finds</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/science/earth/youngstown-injection-well-stays-shut-after-earthquake.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disposal Halted at Well After New Quake in Ohio</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/science-lags-as-health-problems-emerge-near-gas-fields" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science Lags as Health Problems Emerge Near Gas Fields</a></li> </ul>
<ul> <li><a href="http://tripledividefilm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Triple Divide (2013)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GASLAND II (2013)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GASLAND (2010)</a></li> <li><a href="http://rootedlands.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rooted Lands (2012)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.splitestate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Split Estate (2009) </a></li> <li><a href="http://vimeo.com/41010560" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keeping NC Frack-Free!</a> (Vimeo)</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lapCoLYxb9s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shale & Wall Street: Discussion by Deborah Rogers</a> (Youtube)</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oPqlAAR94U#t=1711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Ingraffea</a> - climate and economic impacts of fracking (Youtube)</li> <li><a href="http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18080-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NC Environmental Groups Take Proactive Steps Against Natural Gas Harvesting</a> (January 24, 2011 radio program featuring CWFNC's Rachel Lang-Balde)</li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8q4N71ZruE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marcellus Hydro-Fracturing: What Does it Mean for Economic Development?</a> - 30-minute presentation by Cornell professor Dr. Susan Christopherson (Youtube)</li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYzU4bEfJ5U&feature=channel_video_title" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Presentation</a> by financial analyst Deborah Rogers on the economics of fracking (Youtube)</li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF8veSUvVgA">Aerial footage of fracking fields in Pennsylvania</a> (Youtube)</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fOiCeLu1MM">Landowner Rights workshop</a> - presented by Rural Advancement Foundation International (Youtube)</li> </ul>