Shale Gas E-Briefing: EC role in shale gas development outlined by European Commissioner for the Environment

• United Kingdom

• Energy and infrastructure - Shale and unconventional

15-05-2013

Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, has outlined the role of the European Commission (“EC”) in shale gas development in his speech, "Shale gas in Europe – being consistent with a low carbon economy, managing health and environmental risks".

Potočnik unambiguously confirmed that it is not for the EC to decide whether shale gas should be exploited or not. Member States are responsible for deciding their own energy mix. However, Member States must ensure that shale gas development “is done in line with the environmental rules that apply, so as to ensure protection of the environment and human health”. He stated that the EC’s role in shale gas development is to ensure that the rules of the game are clear and predictable “while providing reassurance to the general public that appropriate climate and environmental safeguards are in place”.

While making clear that he was not for or against shale gas, Potočnik concluded, “I am for using the potential of shale gas, if confirmed, in an environmentally responsible way while keeping in mind our long term objectives and supporting the policies which are leading us towards those objectives”.

The UK Government lifted the suspension on hydraulic fracturing by announcing on 13 December that exploratory hydraulic fracturing for shale gas could resume in the UK, subject to new controls to mitigate the risks of seismic activity. This decision followed detailed analysis of studies and advice from leading experts.

The EC is currently working on a framework to enable safe and secure unconventional hydrocarbon extraction. It aims to deliver a framework to manage risks, address regulatory shortcomings and provide maximum legal clarity and predictability to market operators and citizens across the EU.

This is however a further reiteration by the European Commissioner for the Environment that it is up to each Member State to decide how they proceed in relation to shale gas, provided, of course that the appropriate safeguards are in place. He has also acknowledged that shale gas may bring important benefits including security of supply as part of the transition to a more sustainable future energy model.

A transcript of Potočnik’s speech can be viewed here.