Tag Archives: north carolina

05/23/14

North Carolina Fracking Bill That Would Block Chemical Disclosure

North Carolina Republican Lawmakers Push For A Bill to Give Jail Time To Anyone Who Discloses Chemicals Used In Fracking Operations.

Guest post by Wes Deyton, Wildlife Photographer and Activist

ncfrackingNine Republican lawmakers have co-sponsored a bill called the Energy Modernization act. This bill is coming up for a vote in the Senate. The Energy Modernization act will make it a class one felony to disclose the chemicals involved in the fracking process. The Energy Modernization act, if passed, would require companies involved in fracking to submit a list of their chemicals to the state geologist, who will keep the list locked away in case of accident or emergency.

Under the Energy Modernization act, unauthorized disclosure of the chemicals involved in fracking can result in up to 1 year in prison, or community service, depending on a person’s previous criminal record.

From BillMoyers.com: The disclosure of the chemicals used to break up shale formations and release natural gas is one of the most heated issues surrounding fracking. Many energy companies argue that the information should be proprietary, while public health advocates counter that they can’t monitor for environmental and health impacts without it. Under public pressure, a few companies have begun to report chemicals voluntarily.

North Carolina has banned fracking until the state can approve regulations. The bill introduced Thursday, titled the Energy Modernization Act, is meant to complement the rules currently being written by the North Carolina Mining & Energy Commission.

Fracking is controversial method of extracting oil and natural gas from rock, deep within the earth. Fracking uses high pressure water sand gravel and chemicals to extract the natural gas from between layers of rocks.

Fracking has been blamed for contaminated ground water, birth defects, and cancer. All this secrecy begs the question… Is the Energy Modernization act about protecting trade secrets or preventing a public outcry, if the public found out what kind of chemicals will be used at fracking sites in North Carolina?

More information can be found at this link: HuffPost Green – North Carolina Fracking Bill.

 

04/2/14

Pickerel Frog Calling

Guest post by Wes Deyton, North Carolina.

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) by Wes Deyton, North Carolina.

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) by Wes Deyton, North Carolina.

The Pickerel frog is a small frog that can be found all throughout North America. It can be found from Maine to North Georgia. It is identified by what looks to be hand drawn squares on their bodies. Now that the weather is warming up, the frogs are back out and calling. Male frogs call during this time of the year in order to attract the female Frogs.

I took this video in a pond behind my house using a Canon Rebel T4i and Canon 100mm Macro Lens.

From Wikipedia, a cool fact about the Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris):
The skin secretions of a stressed pickerel frog are known to be toxic to other frogs, as many a novice frog catcher has found when he finds only the pickerel frog still alive in his bucket. These secretions can also be moderately irritating if they come in contact with the eyes, mucous membranes, or broken skin.

About Wes Deyton, nature photographer in North Carolina:
Wes Deyton, nature photographer in North CarolinaMy name is Wes Deyton. I live in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.  I love to take my camera out into the woods and look for wildlife to photograph. I have a website www.lastmilephotography.com and a Facebook page with tons of Frog, Bird, and other wildlife pictures.