Shale gas: European Parliament gives green light to Member States on exploration and exploitation.

The European Parliament adopted a report by Bogusław Sonik MEP on the environmental aspects of shale gas production, with a large majority of votes in favour - 569. At the same time, MEPs rejected an amendment introduced by the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats and the Greens calling for a moratorium and a ban on hydraulic fracturing technology at the European level. This confirms the sovereign, Treaty-based right of Member States to decide on their own energy mix.

"The most important message of the report is its precautionary approach and the chance of commercial viability which it gives to shale gas. Today, the European Parliament sends a clear message that shale gas extraction is safe for the environment and public health, as long as the highest environmental and safety standards are met," said Rapporteur Bogusław Sonik MEP.

"It is important not to block the ability of Member States to make political choices on the shale gas issue. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, Member States should be free to adopt energy mix solutions, including shale gas exploration and extraction," said Jan Březina MEP, responsible for a report on industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil exploration.

"We have to bear in mind that the exploration of shale gas and oil potential is not unique to Europe and that other parts of the world have a vast interest in developing new oil and gas resources as a means of improving energy and economic competitiveness," added Březina.