Brussels, 20/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - Could this be a new stage in the exploitation of shale gas in Europe? On Thursday 20 December, the European Commission launched a public online consultation in order to gather as many viewpoints as possible on the future of developing unconventional fossil fuels in the European Union. All those interested by this highly controversial matter - citizens, public bodies and organisations - are invited to give their views on the possible opportunities and challenges that may arise from the development of such projects and on the best ways to address the challenges identified so far. The consultation is open until 20 March 2013.
At a time when the possibilities for extracting conventional resources are becoming increasingly limited, technological progress is opening up new possibilities for the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels such as shale gas, tight gas and coal bed methane from geological formations that were previously too complex or too expensive to tap into. The European Commission has stated its wish to ensure that any future development of unconventional fossil fuels is carried out with the proper health, climate and environmental safeguards in place, with maximum legal clarity and predictability for citizens and operators.
The consultation exercise, available in 23 languages of the EU, covers a broad range of issues such as broad opportunities and challenges, possible measures to reduce health and environmental risks, measures to increase the transparency of operations, and general recommendations regarding action at EU level. The European Parliament has recently taken a stance in two separate resolutions on the industrial and environmental aspects of shale gas exploration and exploitation (see EUROPE 10735). The contributions made by those taking part in the consultation exercise will feed into the work of analysis begun by the Commission at the end of 2011, and will be taken into account in developing the framework that it will propose in 2013 in order to manage the risks, fill the regulatory gaps, and provide as much legal clarity as possible for market operators and citizens across Europe. All the relevant policy options will be assessed, the Commission assures. A public consultation meeting between member states and other stakeholders will be held during the first half of 2013. To take part in the consultation exercise, please apply to: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations_en.htm . (AN/transl.jl)