Jo Leinen is proposing a European directive that would penalise or even ban the exploitation of the controversial fossil fuel
Fiona Harvey
Guardian [UK]
30 June 2011
One of the most influential members of the European parliament is proposing a new directive that would penalise or even ban the exploitation of shale gas, the controversial new fossil fuel that is tipped as the major energy source of the future.
Jo Leinen told the Guardian he wanted a new “energy quality directive” that would mean fuels with adverse environmental impacts – such as shale gas and oil from tar sands – were stringently regulated within the EU.
Leinen chairs the EU parliament’s main body overseeing environmental regulation, the influential committee on the environment, public health and food safety. He has the power to bring forward proposals that could make it into law within a few years.
Leinen said there was likely to be support for such a legislative intervention, as many MEPs are increasingly worried about the role of shale gas in the world’s energy mix. Shale gas extraction has been linked to a wide variety of environmental problems, including pollution of the water supply, excessive use of water resources and potential seismic effects. In France, further expansion of the shale gas industry has been banned, and in the UK drilling operations have been halted after two small earthquakes near the exploration sites…
The article continues at the Guardian.
H/T Ann McElhinney on Facebook who wrote, “Sorry I have to rant a little about Mr Jo Leinen MEP who wants to ban fracking in Europe. Fracking is a miracle opportunity for countries like Poland to tell the Russians to buzz off. Poland has been held an energy captive by the Russians. How sweet a thing to tell that tyrant nation where to take their gas supplies. Please Poland stand strong.”
Related: VIDEO: Bathrobe Sessions #169 on Dennis Miller Radio. “In this free clip from this week’s Bathrobe Session, Dennis talks about Al Gore.”
