“When opportunity knocks, all some people can do is complain about the noise.” – Bill Maher

I applaud North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and our state legislators who weren’t distracted by the noise. Opportunity knocked on our door, and they answered. They recognized the invaluable opportunity we have in our substantial natural gas reserves.

The reserves have existed for a long time, but were inaccessible. Thanks to the development and combined practice of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and horizontal drilling, now they are.

Here in North Carolina we’re sitting on enough natural gas to meet our own needs for the foreseeable future – enough to put thousands back to work and get our economy humming again. For so long we’ve just ignored the opportunity and complained about the noise.

With Gov. McCrory’s signature, the bill allows permits to be issued for fracking as early as May of next year. The jobs and the revenue will soon follow. We as a community will contribute to the energy security of our country, lessening its dependence on unstable sources of foreign fuels.

Contrary to recent headlines, opening up our state for shale gas development was no hasty decision. This bill has been five years in the making – the result of lengthy study of environmentally friendly fracking, development of comprehensive guidelines to govern the process and a commitment to the protection of our state’s natural resources.

North Carolina will enter the energy business as a national leader with some of the most stringent standards in the country. Our elected leaders listened carefully to the needs of the industry and environmental community, and struck the right balance.

Soon, we too will enjoy the economic renaissance other states are experiencing that comes with natural gas exploration and development.

Sincerest thanks to those who didn’t let this one pass us by.

Algenon Cash is the managing director of Wharton Gladden, a Greensboro-based investment banking firm.  He is also the State Chairman of the North Carolina Energy Forum and National Director for the America’s Energy Forum.