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6 <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> d. Proposed Resolution Regarding Reduction of Methane Emissions <br /> The Board considered adopting a resolution to petition the Governor of North Carolina <br /> to enact certain measures intended to reduce emissions of methane related to the use of <br /> natural gas and power generation. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> As initially introduced at the June 6, 2017 Board of County Commissioners meeting, this <br /> resolution petitions the Governor of North Carolina to take steps to reduce emissions of <br /> methane associated with the increased use of natural gas produced through the process of <br /> hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"). Natural gas is often termed a "bridge" interim source of energy <br /> on the path to a future where renewable energy sources dominate. However, the production <br /> and use of natural gas often includes sizeable releases of methane, a very significant <br /> greenhouse gas. <br /> This resolution asks the Governor of North Carolina to take steps to reduce the use of natural <br /> gas in North Carolina that is produced by fracking, as well as prevent the transport of natural <br /> gas produced by fracking through North Carolina, and prevent the construction of new natural <br /> gas fired power plants and pipelines in the state while existing natural gas fired power plants <br /> and pipelines are replaced with sources of renewable energy. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said every "Whereas" in the resolution is followed by a <br /> footnote, which can be reviewed in detail by reading the resolution on line. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos read the resolution: <br /> RESOLUTION TO SLOW THE CLIMATE CRISIS BY REDUCING METHANE EMISSIONS <br /> FROM THE FRACKED GAS AND POWER INDUSTRIES <br /> WHEREAS, an unprecedented, three-year global heat wave,' ongoing sea level rise and <br /> increasingly intense weather extremes are already devastating communities, wildlife and <br /> property in North Carolina and around the world;2 and <br /> WHEREAS, those least responsible for causing this crisis have been hurt first and worst, <br /> primarily low-wealth communities and people of color, and humanity is quickly running out of <br /> time to slow this enormous challenge before it accelerates under its own momentum beyond <br /> our control; Sand <br /> WHEREAS, methane is 80-100 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping Earth's <br /> heat,3 and has become the driving force behind the rapid heating of the planet;4 and <br /> WHEREAS, large amounts of natural gas —which is mostly methane — are being vented and <br /> leaked directly into the air from various gas equipment, with emissions measured at rates of up <br /> to 12% of the total gas produced by wells using fracking technology;5 and <br /> WHEREAS, these emissions make burning natural gas for electricity at least three times worse <br /> for the climate than coal,6 in addition to other health impacts and explosion risks;' and <br /> WHEREAS, the recent surge in methane emissions is largely due to the US fracking boom,8 <br /> which is being driven by Duke Energy and other utilities' expanded use of gas to generate <br /> electricity;9 and <br /> WHEREAS, most US gas and electricity corporations are fighting efforts to reduce methane <br /> emissions; 10 and <br />