In May, Olli Rehn, vice-president of the EC in charge of Economic and Monetary Affairs and the euro, and Günther Oettinger, member of the EC in charge of Energy, participated in a seminar on the implications of shale gas for Europe's competitiveness, co-organised by the Bureau of European Policy Adv

Fracking will have to pass environmental test

Published: Fri 18 Oct 2013, 7:38 AM

Draft laws agreed by MEPs will ensure that the public is informed and consulted about all new fracking projects, and that they are subject to a compulsory environmental impact assessment (EIA).

At the moment, the law requires that natural gas projects that extract at least 500,000 cubic meters per day undergo environmental testing. However many shale gas extraction projects yield less than that amount, and so can avoid having to carry out impact studies.

If MEPs can persuade member states to accept their proposals, an environmental impact assessment will be mandatory for whatever quantity of shalegas, oil, coal or gas is extracted.

MEPs have also called for measures to prevent conflicts of interest between developers and those carrying out studies, and for prior cross-border agreement where projects are likely to have impacts on more than one member state.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin said proper consultation is vital for example for fracking projects in border areas between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

“People in west Cavan and north Leitrim have had big concerns about the possibility of fracking in Fermanagh. But member states should reach agreement before the project goes ahead,” said Ms Harkin.

The draft laws would also ensure that the public is informed and consulted about any project that potentially impacts on the environment, from bridge-building to intensive pig farming.