The panel that is supposed to decide whether and how to allow fracking in the state meets Friday to elect a chairman. The fracking process injects a drilled well with chemicals, water and sand at high pressure to crack shale rock and release natural gas.

 

Lee County Commissioner Jim Womack says he's uniquely qualified to run the panel.

 

Womack told WRAL-TV he thinks North Carolina should allow fracking to proceed.

 

He downplayed concerns from environmentalist who want the state to move slowly because of dangers to contaminating the state's aquifers.

 

Womack says he thinks there is virtually no chance that fracking could contaminate the water supply.