Are there really House Republicans against fracking?

A good editorial in the N&O today calls on the General Assembly to think more carefully about the risks and benefits of fracking. In the process, the editorial mentions that even some Republicans are leery of the fracking push. Is that true? I must have missed the memo.

Details below.

Further, the natural gas market is flooded to the point where prices have sagged. If companies and customers in this state can access cheap gas extracted elsewhere, at least for now, why take a chance on fracking in the near term?

The answer: Republican dogma favors more drilling rather than less and sooner rather than later. The GOP controls the General Assembly, and it held four seats on the five-member Senate panel. The chairman, Sen. Bob Rucho of Mecklenburg County, insists that under its approach, fracking will be safe. And the spirit of “Drill, baby, drill!’ can invigorate Republican voters this fall.

Except it might not be that simple, nor should it be. The committee’s proposals will be considered during the upcoming short legislative session, and even some Republicans, notably in the House, are leery of a fracking push. No final action should be taken without careful review and debate – a tall order when legislators are supposed to be focused on budget matters.