What The Frack, North Carolina?

North Carolina Dem Gov. Bev Perdue has vetoed a GOP bill that would have turned where I grew up in North Carolina into the fracking capital of the universe, but odds are really good all she's done is bought the state a few days before the Republicans override her veto, cement state control and reduce my home state to an environmental nightmare.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced Sunday that she has vetoed a controversial proposal to legalize fracking in North Carolina.

The bill, Senate Bill 820, was backed by Republican leaders in the House and Senate, who said it would give state regulators up to two years to implement rules. Lawmakers would have to approve those rules before any commercial wells could be drilled.

But environmental advocates pushed Perdue to veto the bill. They say safeguards should be put in place before fracking is legalized, not the other way around.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Perdue said that, although she supports fracking, the legislation moves too quickly.

"This bill does not do enough to ensure that adequate protections for our drinking water, landowners, county and municipal governments, and the health and safety of our families will be in place before fracking begins," Perdue said.

She says she tried to work with lawmakers, but they refused to negotiate.

"I urged the sponsors of the bill to adopt a few changes to ensure that strong protections would be in place before any fracking would occur," Perdue said. "The General Assembly was unwilling to adopt the changes I suggested. Therefore, I must veto the bill."

The fact of the matter is even Perdue sees dollar signs before her eyes when it comes to the mountains and foothills of NC.   Ohio's recent ugly experience with fracking may have allowed the state some clock, but the fact of the matter is there's just too much money at stake here to think that NC will pass up on fracking.

And of course, they won't.

It's the second time Perdue has stopped legislation that would move the state toward fracking. Last year, she vetoed a proposal with far fewer safeguards. Republican leaders have not yet been able to override that veto.

Perdue has vetoed two other major bills in recent days – the Racial Justice Act repeal, and the state budget. Lawmakers are expected to attempt to override all three vetoes Monday or Tuesday.

In fact, all that happened last night.  And so it goes.  By January, the GOP will have pretty much total control of my home state, and then the pain will absolutely begin as $190 million is cut from schools to give tens of millions in tax credits to the state's burgeoning film industry.  And fracking could begin in as early as 2014, or sooner if Republican fast track "regulations" for the practice.  You can bet that's coming.  By the way, the new fracking capital of the state?  Durham County.  Where I went to high school, one of the largest concentrations of less affluent urban minorities in the state, and home to a hell of a lot of liberals.  GOP can't wait to DRILL BABY DRILL there. 

Can't wait for the flammable tapwater.