To the Editor:

By this means I thank N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for presenting the fracking forum in Macon County to afford his constituents the opportunity to at least attend a meeting where Senate Bill 786, the Energy Modernization Act, was discussed. 

The Energy Modernization Act is the overreaching bill that lifts the moratorium on issuing state permits for hydraulic fracturing for gas, or fracking. The law allows companies to start the processes that will lead to fracking with much protection for those who will profit most, little concern for the health and safety of the people who will someday, somehow be impacted, and a callous disregard for the earth that sustains all of us. 

Sen. Davis is proud to have been one of the bill’s sponsors. His constituents were not heard before the law passed. Now the local governments that more directly represent us are rendered powerless in protecting our land and our lives. Our Franklin Board of Aldermen and our Macon County Commission, as well as all other local government units in the state, are prohibited from passing any ordinances “that in any manner are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions” of SB786.

The Forum was not designed to give attendees information and respond to the valid concerns most people had. The panel consisted of a Lee County Commissioner who is a member and former chairman of the Mining and Energy Commission, a geologist who serves as the science and energy advisor to the N.C. Senate, a Republican senator from Mocksville, and a member of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. This cool-headed lady was the lone voice crying in the wilderness, courageously and vainly trying to balance the distorted rosy picture painted by the other panelists of all the good things that fracking will bring us. Sen. Davis politely gave her the opportunity to respond to each question but this effort at fairness could not mitigate the stacking of the deck three to one. 

As to the other panelists, the MEC member gave a slide presentation that was a slick hard-sell tactic probably similar to what BP used getting permission to drill in the Gulf. The Republican senator must have forgotten where he was because he did not respond to questions but rather delivered one campaign speech after another, complete with family history, his contributions to the welfare of his constituents, promises of good-paying jobs from fracking, and his love of God and country. The only thing missing was babies to kiss. Unfortunately, the clock kept ticking as he kept on stomping. 

The three pro-fracking panelists were not unbiased, honest believers in the merits of fracking but rather zealots with vested interests in convincing the public that fracking would be like manna from heaven. I knew this was true when the geologist compared the potassium that can be one of many unpronounceable and mystery chemicals in the fracking mix to the potassium in our breakfast bananas. And this geologist is a real scientist?

The insult compounding the above injuries was hurled by the MEC member who in a closing rant tried to suggest that being opposed to fracking was unpatriotic and disregarded the lives sacrificed in defending our nation. His words were so hurtful and arrogant that a member of the audience felt compelled to respond even though the public had been barred from making any comments.

Sen. Davis stated that only about 10 percent of the questions submitted had been answered and committed to respond to the rest through his legislative address at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I appreciate his willingness to hear from his constituents though more questions could have been answered if the panelists had been limited to answering the questions and not promoting their personal agendas. What I appreciate most is Sen. Davis’ reminding the public that we still have a voice in expressing our opposition to all the ills associated with fracking. He reminded us of his support for SB786 and that he is running for reelection this November. Our voices can speak loud and clear at the ballot box.

Olga F. Pader

Franklin