Brussels, 10/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - The extraction of shale gas could possibly help towards ensuring the safety of energy supply in Europe but according to three new environmental and health impact studies on nonconventional fossil fuels, published on Friday 7 September by the European Commission, it is harmful to both the climate and environment. The hunger for these new energy sources (particularly shale gas and its controversial extraction) has been the subject of much debate and has prompted the European Commission to collect as much data on this subject as possible.
The different studies analyse the potential effects of these fuels on the energy market; the potential impact on climate of shale gas production; the possible health and environmental risks involved with the extraction of shale gas and associated hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) risks. The studies identify a very high number of legislative and regulatory questions that use of these gases could provoke. The European Commission provides assurances that it will ensure that member states that use shale gas respect EU legislation, but remains neutral about the question of EU27 member states' energy mixes. It will also guarantee implementation of an appropriate legislative framework to enable the sustainable extraction of shale gas.
Energy market impacts. The study demonstrates that the use of nonconventional gas in the US has led to greater availability of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) on the global market, with an indirect effect on EU gas prices. Drawing on the lessons of the US experience and by examining the EU's potential resources, it indicates that in the best-case scenario, future shale gas production in Europe could help the EU maintain its dependency on energy imports to around 60%. It also reveals, however, the huge uncertainties involving recoverable volumes, technological developments, public acceptance and access to land and markets.
Climate impacts. According to a second study, shale gas produced in the EU causes more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional natural gas produced in the EU but, if well-managed, less than imported gas from outside the EU, be it through pipelines or by LNG, due to the impact on emissions from long-distance gas transport.
Environmental impacts. The third study illustrates that the environmental footprint is greater for shale gas extraction than for the use of conventional gas. It underlines the risk of surface and ground water contamination and water resource depletion, air and noise emissions, land take, disturbance to biodiversity and traffic related impacts when several different projects are involved.
For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/energy/studies_en.htm (AN/transl.fl)