Greens and EC criticise Poland on shale gas

EC Director-General for Environment, Karl Falkenberg pointed out that Poland does not stick to EU rules in shale-gas fracking.

"Shale gas will not bring about a revolution in European energy,” Falkenberg told the conference.

“Cheap energy is not the way to regain or maintain Europe's competitiveness,” he added.

The European Commission director recalled that “three years ago, Europe expected a gas bonanza”. Now, however, apart from Poland and the UK – which still rely on extraction of shale gas – you can see "realism or disappointment" in other EU countries, the EC director said.

Falkenberg pointed out that in February the European Commission reprimanded Poland for failing to comply with EU law on exploration wells.

Under Polish law, exploratory drilling at depths of up to 5,000 meters do not require prior impact assessment on the environment. But in the opinion of the Commission, such an exemption is inconsistent with the EU directive on environmental impact assessment.

In the event of non-compliance with EU law, Poland could be sued before the EU Court of Justice, which in February 2015 upheld the Commission's opinion. (rg)\

Source: PAP