Bogus news releases don't usually turn up in a newsroom, so we initially didn't think to worry about a news release emailed to staff writer Ted Natt earlier today.

The release said it came from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources and it purported to be apologizing for and clarifying its March 16 report recommending approval of hydraulic fracturing -- fracking -- in the state.

Wow! Big news! The state doesn't just clarify but apologizes for its report? Get that sucker online, stat!

So while Ted ran out real quick, I told him I'd get this news online immediately. But as I started working it up, something began bothering me. How come the DENR Secretary wasn't quoted by name? Why was there no name or phone number for the department's media affairs office? And why was it emailed the way it was? And since when do state departments offer blanket apologies for reports they KNOW are going to be controversial?

None of it added up, so I picked up the phone to call DENR and confirm its authenticity. When I called, a clearly flustered media person told me that no, the release wasn't real and that some media outfits had already put it online. Ouch. She mentioned one by name, but I'll spare the guilty party further embarrassment.

Within a few minutes, the real DENR issued a statement denying the bogus release.

So where'd the misinformation come from? Good question. The link it includes is a dead one. Someone clearly thinks they're clever, but this won't be the end of the line.

I've included below the text of both the bogus email and the real DENR response.

The Fake

From: "Director, NC DENR" director@askncdenr.org Date: March 27, 2012 11:41:38 AM EDT To: tnatt@thepilot.com Subject: Press release: NC DENR Revises Draft Report on Hydraulic Fracturing; Issues Public Apology

Dear Ted. M. Natt Jr.,

Please find our latest press release below in advance of tonight's public hearing on hydraulic fracturing in Chapel Hill. Our website will be updated and information about an upcoming press conference will be posted online within the next day, should you have further questions for us. Thank you for your coverage of this important environmental issue.

Regards,

Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs

N.C. DENR

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY REVISES DRAFT REPORT ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING; ISSUES PUBLIC APOLOGY

March 27, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued an apology and clarification regarding the Draft Report on Hydraulic Fracturing released on March 16, 2012. The draft report stated that DENR believes hydraulic fracturing can be done safely as long as the right protections are in place. Since the report was released to the public, DENR has changed its position and revised the report's conclusion.

“At this point DENR does not have enough information to conclude whether hydraulic fracturing can be done safely in North Carolina,” said DENR's Secretary. “If shale gas is developed in North Carolina, rigorous protections would be needed to address the environmental risks. Therefore, we have developed recommendations for a hypothetical regulatory framework. However, DENR is not confident at this time that any regulatory framework would be strong enough to ensure the safety of hydraulic fracturing.”

Several limitations to DENR’s study were addressed in the report. Due to time constraints, DENR has not yet fully been able to consider recent EPA research on potential groundwater impacts of hydraulic fracturing in Pavilion, WY and Dimock, PA. The EPA’s ongoing study of hydraulic fracturing’s potential impact on drinking water resources is not scheduled to be completed until 2014. In the Triassic sub-basin, the distance between the gas-producing layer and drinking water supplies is much less than in other shale-bearing states, and therefore water quality impacts are of special concern in North Carolina. “To date, there have been no comprehensive studies on the long-term health impacts of hydraulic fracturing, and DENR does not believe it is qualified to conduct such a study,” said DENR's Secretary. In addition, the report’s legally mandated section on consumer protection had not yet been submitted by the Department of Justice.

“Due to miscommunications among staff during a period of increased workloads, DENR released a conclusion that was premature and not adequately supported by available scientific evidence,” said DENR's Secretary. “We wish to apologize for this oversight, and remind the public that this report is only a draft.”

In the report, DENR explains that North Carolina’s shale is unlikely to be developed for gas drilling in the near term, citing the relatively small size of North Carolina’s shale basins, the lack of a pre-existing gas industry in the state, the high cost of implementing a regulatory program where none currently exists, and the low price of natural gas in current markets. In addition, underground injection of hydraulic fracturing wastes may not be a viable option in North Carolina, potentially forcing energy companies to explore more expensive options for waste disposal.

DENR will present its findings to the N.C. General Assembly in May after completing a revision of the report.

Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs

1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601

The Truth

From: "Kees, Diana" diana.kees@ncdenr.gov Date: March 27, 2012 12:23:51 PM EDT To: undisclosed-recipients: ; Subject: Attn: false email circulating

Reporters/editors: Please be aware that a false email is circulating re: NCDENR's recent draft report on shale gas and hydraulic fracturing. The department stands behind its recent report, and looks forward to receiving additional public comment during tonight's public meeting in Chapel Hill.

Please all me for additional information.

-- Diana Kees Communications Director N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 919-707-8626

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