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Environmental legislation that gives leeway to a North Carolina state panel in creating air pollution rules for fracking was been signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory this week, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The governor signed the measure soon after the Senate gave final General Assembly approval Monday night to the bill, which adjusts the 2012 law authorizing hydraulic fracturing for drilling natural gas and directing exploration rules be created.
The new law also says the Environmental Management Commission doesn’t have to create its own toxic-air regulations if it finds existing regulations are adequate.
Supporters say the change was needed now because the other fracking rules take effect Tuesday, opening up applications. Drilling opponents say the bill makes it less likely top-notch emissions restrictions will occur.
Here is how the state House and Senate voted on House Bill 157, “Amend Environmental Laws”, as reported by the N.C. General Assembly:
NC House vote
| Democrat | Republican | |
| Ayes: | Representative(s): Brisson; Brockman; Goodman; Hunter; Waddell | Representative(s): Adams; Arp; Avila; B. Brown; Bishop; Blackwell; Blust; Bradford; Brawley; Brody; Bryan; Bumgardner; Burr; Catlin; Cleveland; Collins; Conrad; Daughtry; Davis; Dixon; Dobson; Dollar; Elmore; Faircloth; Ford; Fraley; Hager; Hardister; Hastings; Horn; Howard; Hurley; Iler; J. Bell; Jones; Jordan; L. Johnson; Lambeth; Langdon; Lewis; Malone; McElraft; McGrady; McNeill; Millis; Pendleton; Pittman; Presnell; R. Brown; R. Turner; Riddell; Robinson; Ross; S. Martin; Saine; Schaffer; Setzer; Shepard; Stam; Steinburg; Stevens; Szoka; T. Moore (SPEAKER); Tine; Torbett; Warren; Watford; West; Whitmire; Yarborough; Zachary |
| Noes: | Representative(s): Adcock; Ager; Alexander; B. Turner; Baskerville; Carney; Cotham; Cunningham; D. Hall; Earle; Farmer-Butterfield; Fisher; Floyd; G. Graham; Gill; Glazier; Hamilton; Hanes; Harrison; Holley; Insko; Jackson; L. Bell; L. Hall; Lucas; Luebke; Meyer; Michaux; Pierce; Queen; R. Johnson; R. Moore; Reives; Salmon; Terry; Willingham; Wray | Representative(s): Holloway; Jeter; Speciale |
| Not Voting: | Representative(s): None | Representative(s): Boles |
| Exc. Absence: | Representative(s): C. Graham; G. Martin; Richardson | Representative(s): None |
NC Senate vote
| Democrat | Republican | |
| Ayes: | Senator(s): Bryant; Clark; Ford; Smith; Smith-Ingram; Waddell | Senator(s): Alexander; Apodaca; B. Jackson; Barefoot; Barringer; Berger; Bingham; Brock; Brown; Cook; Curtis; Daniel; Gunn; Harrington; Hartsell; Hise; J. Davis; Krawiec; Lee; McInnis; Meredith; Newton; Pate; Rabin; Rabon; Randleman; Rucho; Sanderson; Tarte; Tillman; Tucker; Wade; Wells |
| Noes: | Senator(s): Blue; D. Davis; Foushee; J. Jackson; Lowe; McKissick; Robinson; Stein; Van Duyn; Woodard | Senator(s): None |
| Exc. Absence: | Senator(s): None | Senator(s): Soucek |
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