NC House members want air emission rules for fracking

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Three North Carolina Republican lawmakers want to make clear a state environmental panel must draw up rules designed to minimize toxic emissions related to any upcoming natural gas exploration through fracking.

The Wake County House members filed the bill Monday, a week after a flap over a provision inserted into another bill by the House majority leader. That floor amendment would have opened the door for the Environmental Management Commission to avoid developing such rules if it determined current state or federal rules were good enough.

The House ultimately decided to defeat the potential exemption for the commission offered by Majority Leader Mike Hager of Rutherfordton.

The new bill says the commission also must set standards to minimize leaks of natural gas from fracking operations.

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