EU-Commission paves the way for fracking

Brussels, Belgium - The European Commission adopted a recommendation aiming to ensure that proper environmental and climate safeguards are in place for fracking.

The recommendation should help all member states wishing to use this practice address health and environmental risks and improve transparency for citizens. It also lays the ground for a level playing field for industry and establishes a clearer framework for investors. By this paper the European Commission pave the way for the usage of fracking in the EU. {b} Shale gas is raising hopes in Europe but is also a source of public concern {/b} Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Shale gas is raising hopes in some parts of Europe, but is also a source of public concern. The Commission is responding to calls for action with minimum principles that Member States are invited to follow in order to address environmental and health concerns and give operators and investors the predictability they need." One of the recommendation the EU member states should apply, is to check the quality of the local water, air, soil before operations start, in order to monitor any changes and deal with emerging risks. By planning ahead of developments and evaluate possible cumulative effects before granting licences the risk of negative consequences should decline. Another point of the recommendation is to inform the public about all chemicals used in a fracking project. {b} The risks of fracking are not mentioned {/b} By implementing this press release the industrial usage of fracking in Europe is more and more probable. But the risks of hydraulic fracturing on a large scale and at high intensity are not mentioned in the paper. American studies have shown that the chemicals which are used in shale gas operations, like methane, ethane and other are verifiable in the drinking water of the areas around the fracking projects. Also sees and rivers are in danger by these chemicals.

Source: IWR Online, 24 Jan 2014