A new law imposing an impact fee on Marcellus Shale natural gas wells is being challenged by an informal coalition of municipalities, an environmental group and some medical professionals, who have lodged a legal challenge arguing provisions in the legislation make it unconstitutional.

The law — and its nebulous status — has caused local complications, as doctors, planners and some township supervisors have struggled to interpret and adjust to its mandates. Read more »

Oil prices fell on Friday April 12, 2012 and headed for a weekly loss after data showed that first-quarter economic growth in China, the world's No. 2 oil consumer, was the weakest in nearly three years, reinforcing concerns about slowing demand for petroleum.

A stronger dollar and a slip in U.S. consumer confidence in April also pressured oil prices. Read more »

A national builder is selling hundreds of just-finished North Carolina homes while keeping the underground mineral rights as interest in drilling for natural gas deposits builds.

Texas-based D.R. Horton Inc. raises the specter that gas deposits hundreds of feet under the homes could be tapped using a controversial drilling technique called fracking. Company officials could not be reached for comment.

Durham real estate attorney Carey Ewing says she's concerned about re-sale values of the homes lacking mineral rights if North Carolina legalizes fracking. Read more »

Oil prices fell Monday April 9, 2012 on concerns about the economic recovery.

West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark crude, fell $1.92 to $101.39 per barrel. Brent crude, which is used to price oil imported by U.S. refineries, slipped $2.13 to $121.30 per barrel.

The U.S. economy added just 120,000 jobs in March— half as much as each of the previous three months. The government reported the disappointing data on Friday, but Monday was the first day oil markets were open. Stocks also fell. Read more »