Natural gas is a critical fossil fuel in North Carolina used to produce electricity, cooking fuel, chemical fertilizer and even as a vehicle fuel. Due to an increasing demand in our state and nation for this resource, natural gas companies are looking to develop unconventional sources of natural gas like shale rock formations. Shale gas is difficult to extract because it is trapped in rock formations, tight sand and sediment which cannot be extracted through conventional drilling methods. In order to tap this resource, the drilling industry has developed the methods of vertical drilling and hydraulic fracturing to release and capture shale gas. Tonight, we are talking about what hydraulic fracturing is and the complicated risks and rewards associated with the development of this natural resource in North Carolina.

June 21, 2011
8-9p.m.

Click here for Archived Stream of this Show

Guests:

Dr. Kenneth B Taylor
Assistant State Geologist and Chief, N.C. Geological Survey, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Dr. Robert B Jackson
Professor of Global Environmental Change at the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment

Dr. Vickram Rao
Executive Director of the Research Triangle Energy Consortium

More information:

North Carolina General Assembly
www.ncleg.net
(919) 733-4111

Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University
www.nicholas.duke.edu

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