A natural gas executive who graduated from Duke University blasts his alma mater's research linking his industry's gas drilling to the contamination of drinking water.

Writing in the November-December issue of Duke Magazine, Chesapeake Energy Corp. CEO Aubrey McClendon not only challenges Duke scientists but also decries the university's liberal agenda and questions the academic integrity of Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment.

"The relentless and ongoing politicization of education, teaching and research at Duke is sad and lessens the institution's relevance and value for all Duke alumni -- past, present, and future," McClendon wrote.

Even though discussions on "fracking" are taking place on a fairly regular basis now in the state, not everyone who's interested can find time to attend or even knows about the meetings ahead of time.

The N.C. League of Municipalities is attempting to solve that problem by posting online a series of presentations made at a recent discussion that was open only to organization members and invitees. More than 50 mayors and town managers from 16 towns and cities attended the presentation last week in Raleigh.

The League, which represents the interests of local governments before the state government, organized a discussion of the subject in anticipation of natural gas exploration taking place in this state someday.

The issue is fraught with controversy, as advocates are eager to drill for the clean burning fuel and critics are wary of the environmental consequences that can include drinking water contamination.

The state's ongoing study of the pros and cons of "fracking" will not merely be a neutral exercise in fact-gathering. In response to public demand, the study will pick a side -- either for or against the controversial method of exploring natural gas.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced the expanded scope of the study today, several months into conducting research. The likely outcome will be that the study, which was to get to the truth of the matter, will be dismissed as biased by whoever disagrees with its conclusions.

The agency is conducting the study for the state legislature to help lawmakers determine whether they should legalize "fracking" in this state. The study is expected to be ready by May 1, in time for the 2012 legislative session.

"Fracking" refers to the hydraulic fracturing technology used to release gas trapped in prehistoric shale rock formations underground. "Fracking" is used in conjunction with horizontal drilling, a practice that's also not allowed in this state at this time.
 

Property owners west of Raleigh who are believed to own land above a rich natural gas deposit may qualify for free testing of well water, a precaution against potential contamination from drilling and exploration.

The U.S. Geological Survey and Duke University expect to test about 75 wells in sections of northern Lee and southern Chatham counties, concentrating in the most likely exploration areas if natural gas drilling is permitted in this state.

The testing -- which would identify levels of methane, chemicals and compounds present in the water -- could help resolve the kinds of disputes that have happened in other states where some have alleged their water supplies have been destroyed by nearby drilling. Natural gas exploration in other states has led to lawsuits and settlements over alleged water contamination, in several documented cases resuling in energy companies buying out private homes and resettling the owners.

"There hasn't been exploration yet so we have a very unique opportunity to go in and get background data," said Melinda Chapman, the U.S. Geological Survey's N.C. groundwater specialist in Raleigh.
 

Shale gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale had generated about 40 private lawsuits alleging water contamination, personal injury and other damages.

The legals claims would largely come from Pennsylvania, the northern state most active in shale gas exploration. The Marcellus Shale, exceeding 30,000 square miles and believed to be one of the nation's largest deposits of natural gas, also covers West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

While more than 4,000 horizontal wells have been drilled and hydraulically fractured in Pennsylvania in recent years, New York suspended drilling in 2008 to study its risks and come up with safeguards; the moratorium is expected to be lifted next year.

North Carolina is also studying the pros and cons of shale gas exploration, with a report due to the state legislature next May. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") are not legal in this state but supporters want to open up the state to gas exploration in hopes of tapping an abundant resource of domestic fuel as an alternative to dirty coal and imported oil.

Two Pennsylvania farmers who leased land to shale gas drillers in their state painted a bleak picture of the gas industry this afternoon during the first of several presentations scheduled in the Triangle to discredit the gas industry.

Carolyn Knapp and Carol French warned that if North Carolina permits drillers to explore here, residents can expect conflicts with neighbors, lawsuits with gas companies, health complaints, a spike in crime and ruined property values.

The two farmers were hosted by two liberal advocacy groups -- N.C. Policy Watch and Clean Water for North Carolina -- at a time that North Carolina is emerging as the nation's next battleground over shale gas exploration.

"We're seeing farms losing 80 percent to 90 percent of their property value," Knapp said. "The amount of noise that comes from these operations is unbelievable. ... It's probably worse than living on an expressway."

State officials and property-owner advocates will conduct an informational session tonight to help landowners negotiate lease offers with energy exploration companies.

Previous sessions on this topic in the past year had packed attendance as farmers and other landowners seek guidance on signing mineral rights contracts with companies that want to drill for natural gas on their land.

Drilling companies have contacted hundreds of residents in Lee and Chatham counties, where underground natural gas reserves are believed to be concentrated. State geologists estimate that the shale gas deposits contain enough fuel to supply the state for four decades. 

Some are concerned that residents are signing away their property rights for a fraction of their value and signing contracts that hold landowners financially responsible for spills or other environmental accidents on their properties.

Experts on North Carolina's potential for wind energy, shale gas and other emerging energy sources will speak today and Wednesday at the state's annual sustainable energy conference in Raleigh.

The confab, being held at the McKimmon Center on the campus of N.C. State University, spans two days of speakers and panels on smart grids, plug-in electric cars, experimental fuels and the green economy workforce.

Speakers will include David Shindle of Iberdrola Renewables, a Spanish wind developer that's proposing a 300-megawatt wind farm in Eastern North Carolina.

Congressional Democrats have released a new report on fracking, outlining how millions of gallons of chemicals have been injected into the ground in the chase for natural gas.

Many of the chemicals used are hazardous, according to the report.

It is the first report detailing the chemicals used in fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing.

Separately, an online registry is up and running that allows the gas companies to list and disclose the chemicals they use, though some are not identified under "trade secret" or "proprietary" shields. Find that site at fracfocus.org. The fracfocus site has a lot of information about the fracking process, as well.

Read a news release and find a link to the Congressional report by clicking here.

Read ProPublica's ongoing coverage here.

We had an earlier summary on the issue in North Carolina. Read it by clicking here.

Since then, a bill in the legislature has continued to move that would overhaul drilling laws. Currently, the process used in fracking is not allowed in North Carolina.

Back in July, our colleague at the Charlotte Observer, Burce Henderson, outlined how a natural gas "boomlet" was under way in North Carolina.

He reported: "Exploration companies are snapping up mineral rights among the tobacco fields and chicken houses of Lee County. They're drawn by the possibility of enough natural gas to meet demand for decades. But drilling would also carry environmental risks, as it does in the Gulf.

"The method that would be used, called hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," injects water and chemicals underground at high pressure to crack open shale. It can contaminate groundwater and deplete water supplies, and it currently is illegal in North Carolina, which produces no gas or oil."

In January, the issue started to be addressed in the General Assembly, with signals pointing to slow action.

Much of the shale involved is under parts of the Triangle, in a swath that basically parallels a little bit west of U.S. 1.

The School of Government at UNC has a "Water Wiki" site that is fed with updates on the issue and others that are related.

This issue is playing out nationally, where the drilling has been going on and causing problems. HBO is showing a film on the issue, Gasland, in its regular rotation.

Last weekend, The New York Times had a lengthy story focused on lax regulation of fracking.

It's part of an ongoing series.

Of note are links to documents -- annotated by the Times -- that have been included in the coverage.

It's worth a read.