Public Meeting held on Hydraulic Fracturing

Public Information meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing “Fracking”
October 11, 2014
Cumberland County Library system
North Regional Branch

Event Speakers:
Dr. Viney Aneja – N.C. State University
Jim Womack – N.C. Mining Energy commission
Hope Taylor – Director of Clean Water of North Carolina

Background:  Governmor McCrory signed a law in June authorizing energy companies be permitted to obtain permits for hydraulic fracturing to unearth natural gas in North Carolina.  With this new law in place, permits may be given out as early as 2015.  The majority of land that will be utilized for this process is in Lee County.

Talking points from the meeting:

  • 1 “fracking” well uses 4.4 million gallons of water a day.
  • 4.4 million galloons is equivalent to 11,000 American households consumption of water in 1 day
  • 4.4 million gallons of water is also equal to 6 Olympic size pools

Challenges that face areas involved with fracking:

  • drill pad construction (The relatively small work area in which the rig crew conducts operations, usually adding or removing drillpipe to or from the drillstring. The rig floor is the most dangerous location on the rig because heavy iron is moved around there…Wikipedia)
  • ground water contamination
  • hydraulic fracturing and flow back water management
  • blowouts & house explosions
  • water consumption and supply
  • spill management and surface water protections
  • small earthquakes

The American Council on Science and Health provided this information at the meeting by handout. (www.acsh.or)g

What are the benefits of Fracking?

  • U.S. has increased its production of all natural gas by 34 percent
  • U.S. is now the leading producer in the world
  • U.S. is predicted to pass Saudi Arabia as the top-producing petroleum and gas producer by 2017
  • natural gas prices have dropped, Americans have saved an estimated $100 billion in 2011

Sidebar:  The following news article was obtained from the National Association of REALTORS® website. The article was not part of the public meeting.

Fracking: A Growing Threat to Home Values?

Daily Real Estate News | Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Fracking is causing nearby home values to fall, suggest attorneys from Ballard Spahr in a webinar titled “Oil and Gas Exploration for Mortgage Bankers.” Natural gas drilling wells are popping up more across the country. The technology, known as “fracking,” is making it easier to mine for natural gas reserves but, in a growing number of cases, these shales filled with natural gases are being mined in populated neighborhoods.Fracking causes decreases in property values of from 4 to 15 percent, according to the Ballard Spahr attorneys. Fracking is being linked to declines in property values because of the unknown and potentially dangerous elements involved in fracking, the attorneys say. For example, some have accused fracking of causing contaminated water, polluted air, and even earthquakes. Studies are being done to study the full effects of fracking, but with unknowns persisting, it’s causing property values to go down, attorneys said during the webinar.“This is not a short-term boom” either, said Harry Weiss of Ballard Spahr’s Enviornment and Natural Resources Group, who noted that more states are beginning to allow drilling. “This is a many, many year process. Someday, somewhere, somehow, you’re going to see it everywhere.”Source: “Fracking Decreases Property Values as Much as 15%,” HousingWire (April 22, 2014)

 

 

 

NC Department of Transportation – Project Update

Project Number:  W-5206AM

Definition:  Proposed improvements on Bragg Boulevard (N.C. 24/N.C 87) from Winston Avenue to Martin Luther King westbound ramps and Rowan Street (N.C. 24/N.C. 210) between Ray Avenue and Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, Cumberland County

Purpose of the Project: From 2008 – 2013 there were documented 335 accidents in this location.  There were 108 accidents that caused injuries and 4 fatality crashes.

NCDOT Project Talking Points:

  • medians
  • directional crossovers
  • existing crossovers will close
  • upgraded traffic signals and pavement markings
  • superstreet design will be installed at several intersections along Bragg Boulevard
  • project length is 1.2 miles

Proposed Schedule: construction will begin December 2015

 

Follow the links below to view the project maps of Bragg Boulevard & Rowan Street:

 

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/W-5206AMBRAGG_Rdy_phm_typ.pdf

 

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/W-5206AMRowanSt_phm_typ2.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Project Number:  W-5519

Definition:  NCDOT will make safety improvements along I-95 Business U.S. 301 from N.C 87 south to N.C. 59.

NCDOT Project Talking Points:

  • revise full movement crossover to limited movement crossovers with U-turns
  • make safety improvements on service road
  • cul-de-sac installations
  • intersection improvements

Follow the link below to view project map:

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/W5519prelimDesign.pdf

 

Contact Information for projects:

Scott Pridgen
NCDOT Division Project Manager
gspridgen@ncdot.gov

Candidate Nolan Hancock – Cumberland County Board of Education

Candidate:  Nolan Hancock
District:  Cumberland County Board of Education

Why do you feel like you are qualified to run for the Board of Education?

I feel that I am uniquely qualified for the position for several reasons. First, I am the proud parent of an 11 month old little girl, which means I have a vested interest in our schools until at least 2032.  I am also from a family of educators.  My wife is a middle school teacher in Harnett County, my mother-in-law is an elementary school teacher on Fort Bragg, and my mother retired from teaching after more than 30 years in the classroom.  Finally, I feel that my background as an attorney lends itself to serving on our school board.  I spend my days working with people from all walks of life who have different viewpoints and I negotiate solutions that are beneficial to all parties.  I believe it is important that our elected officials advocate for our children, parents, and teachers.  I advocate for my clients every day and will do the same for the people of Cumberland County if I am elected to serve.

How do you envision Cumberland County schools in 10 years?

I envision our schools being a beacon of excellence for what public schools can be in North Carolina. I feel this starts with ensuring that we are doing everything we can to support our teachers and administrators so that they can do their job, teaching our children.  It is imperative that we develop and implement new and innovative ways of engaging our students and their parents in education.  If I am elected I will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the board as I am the youngest candidate running and if elected I will be the youngest on the board.

What is the number one challenge facing the Cumberland County school system?

Retaining our quality teachers.

How do you propose to fix the challenge?

We need to work closely with our County Commissioners to try and increase the local supplement that our teachers receive. Teachers in Wake County receive almost $3,000 more than our teachers.  Teachers in Clinton receive close to $1,000 more.  We need to correct this inequity so that we can retain our teachers.

 

One of my objectives would be to develop programs that give our teachers the recognition and thanks they deserve when they perform at an exceptional level.

 

 

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

 

Our younger teachers and parents need to have a voice on the board. I am from a different generation than the people currently serving on our board and the other candidates running for this position.  I feel that we need someone who understands and relates to our younger teachers and parents.  I believe that having that younger voice will improve the diversity of the Cumberland County School Board and will be better reflective our community.

 

It is my opinion that there is value in having a balance of educators and non-educators on the board as well as people from different generations and backgrounds. Cumberland County is uniquely diverse and the board that looks after our schools should reflect that. We need to have people with different perspectives and abilities in order to the increase the strength of the board as a whole.

 

Candidate Rudy Tatum – Cumberland County Board of Education

Candidate:  Rudy Tatum
District:  Cumberland County Board of Education

Why do you feel like you are qualified to run for the Board of Education?

I feel I am qualified to run for the Board of Education because I have more than thirty five years of experience as an educator in the Cumberland County School System.  My experiences range from pre-kindergarten to the central office, as a teacher, instructional specialist, central office director, parent facilitator and principal.  I have served in high schools, a middle school and elementary schools.  A major focus of my career has been on keeping schools safe, student success, positive working conditions, team leadership and community relations.

It has been my honor to serve as the principal of two school teams that earned the National Blue Ribbon Award, Eastover-Central and Pauline Jones now relocated to Walker-Spivey School.  The award is for the highest level of achievement of schools in America.  Also, the Pauline Jones team was recognized internationally for student achievement and community involvement and Eastover-Central was recognized for having the highest ratings in all categories of teacher working conditions in our state.

I believe that experience and proven high results are important when selecting personnel that can help develop a world-class school system or any other high performing organization.  Great communities  have great schools.  Our children and parents deserve no less than the best.

How do you envision Cumberland County schools in 10 years?

I envision Cumberland County schools as being a world-class school system in 10 years.

What is the number one challenge facing the Cumberland County school system?

Our number one challenge is creating a unified effort to develop a world-class school system for our children.

How do you propose to fix the challenge?

We can fix the challenge by rising to a cause beyond ourselves, having high expectations for ourselves, our colleagues and our students and practicing positive personal characteristics.  We would listen to our parents, students, supporters and teachers who will guide us to excellence.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

My ideas/concepts have been supported by educators for many years but often are not fully implemented.  The focus should be on maintaining safe and orderly school environments, building the capacity of team leadership within each school, recruiting and retaining high caliber school teams, developing policies that help teachers prioritize teaching and learning and allotting more time for teachers to challenge all students.

 

Incumbent Jeanette Council – District 1 Cumberland County Commissioner

Incumbent: Jeanette Council
District: 1
Opponent: unopposed

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

My campaign did not actively seek endorsements

If offered, would you accept contributions from political action committees affiliated with the real estate industry? (RPAC, Buildpac etc.)

Yes.  My husband was a realtor for more than 35 years, and I was a licensed sales person.

What are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County if elected?

  • Continue to make decisions best for property owners
  • Help protect the integrity of neighborhoods by enforcing our county housing and zoning codes

How will you reduce property crime in the country?

  • Support community crime prevention efforts
  • Collaborate with community and local agencies to develop post detention crime release programs
  • Continue to support education and law enforcement goals and budgets
  • Support economic development opportunities

What are your thoughts on a new parks & rec bond referendum?

I would like to explore financially feasible options such as grant opportunities to expand our parks and recreation facilities before having to revisit the referendum.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

We should emphasize technology implementation to enhance customer service for citizens and provide efficiency of government.

 

 

 

Community Meeting: Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline in Cumberland County

A public meeting was held by Dominion Resources Inc. on Tuesday, September 23 regarding the proposed $4.5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Background:  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged by Congress with evaluating whether interstate natural gas pipeline projects proposed by private companies should be approved.  The Federal government does not propose, construct, oprate, or own such projects.  The Commission’s determination whether to approve such a project may affect you if your land is where a natural gas pipeline, other facilities or underground storage fields might be located.

Location:  550 miles of natural gas pipeline will be installed underground from West Virginia through Cumberland County and ending in Robeson County.  The North Carolina counties that will the pipeline will run through (Cumberland, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Northampton, Robeson, Sampson, Wilson)

Talking Points:

  • Dominion Resources, Inc in collaboration with Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources will build and own the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP)
  • Chmura Economics and Analytics has studies the impact of the ACP and the findings are a “substantial economic benefit for North Carolina both during its construction and after it begins operations.”
  • The pipelines construction would generate an estimated $680 million from 2014-2019
  • 4,400 jobs will be creating
  • Once the pipeline is built, operation of the ACP will generate $11.7 million per year in economic activity for North Carolina
  • Natural gas will stabilize electiricty and home heating prices
  • There will significant air quality benefits
  • 70% of affected landowners have given permission to survey property

Maps:  Follow the link below to view further talking points and view maps and routes of the proposed ACP

https://www.dom.com/business/gas-transmission/atlantic-coast-pipeline/index.jsp

Do you have a question?

If you are a landowner contact 1-888-895-8716

If you are a non-landowner contact 1-844-215-1819

email:  acpipeline@dom.com