NC to start test drilling for natural gas to lure energy industry
July 8, 2014
RALEIGH - Gov. Pat McCrory's signing of major energy legislation into law Wednesday sets the stage for preliminary exploration of North Carolina's shale gas potential, with the state government taking the lead where private industry has been reluctant to commit.
State-sponsored drilling is expected to get underway this fall in Eastern North Carolina as part of a $550,000 state effort approved last year to help the energy industry assess fracking prospects here.
Boosters of energy exploration want to expand the state’s drilling activities beyond the six counties designated last year. The Senate's proposed budget would add more counties throughout the state and includes nearly $1.2 million to aid the energy sector by drilling, analysis and marketing. The governor's budget includes $500,000 for drilling up to three test wells near Sanford in Lee County.
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