2011/2308(INI)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities 2011/2308(INI)
Lead committee dossier: ENVI/7/07347
Legal basis: RoP 048
| DEVE | ENVI | JURI | |
| Lead Rapporteur | SONIK Bogusław (EPP) | ||
| Opinion Rapporteur(s) | GRÈZE Catherine (Verts/ALE) | LICHTENBERGER Eva (Verts/ALE) |
Legal basis: RoP 048
Procedure completed
2011/2308(INI) Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities
Lead committee dossier: ENVI/7/07347
Legal Basis RoP 048
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion | DEVE | GRÈZE Catherine (Verts/ALE) | |
| Lead | ENVI | SONIK Bogusław (EPP) | MCAVAN Linda (S&D), LEPAGE Corinne (ALDE), RIVASI Michèle (Verts/ALE), SCHLYTER Carl (Verts/ALE), CALLANAN Martin (ECR), CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz (ECR), WILS Sabine (GUE/NGL) |
| Opinion | JURI | LICHTENBERGER Eva (Verts/ALE) |
Legal Basis RoP 048
Subjects
Activites
- 2012/11/21 Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
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2012/11/20
EP 1R Plenary
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2012/11/20
Prev DG PRES
- DG {u'url': u'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/', u'title': u'Environment'}, POTOČNIK Janez
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2012/09/25
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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A7-0283/2012
summary
The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted an own-initiative report by Bogusław SONIK (EPP, PL) on the environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities. The committee recalls that the development of shale gas is not uncontroversial in the EU or worldwide, thereby necessitating a thorough examination of all the impacts (on the environment, public health and climate change) before developing this technology further. In this context, the committee makes the following recommendations: General framework regulation, implementation, monitoring and cooperation: the report stresses that, notwithstanding the Member States exclusive prerogative to exploit their energy resources, any development of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) should ensure a fair and level playing field across the Union, in full compliance with relevant EU safety and environmental protection laws. The Members consider that a thorough analysis of the EU regulatory framework specifically regarding UFF exploration and exploitation is needed. They welcome, to this end, the upcoming conclusion of a number of Commission studies on identification of risks and urge Member States to be cautious in going further with UFF until the completion of the ongoing regulatory analysis and to implement all existing regulations effectively as a crucial way of reducing risk in all gas extraction operations. The Commission is called on, following the completion of its studies, to conduct a thorough assessment on the basis of the European regulatory framework for the protection of health and the environment and to propose, as soon as possible, appropriate measures, including legislative measures, if necessary; The report calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States and the competent regulatory authorities, to introduce ongoing monitoring of developments in this area and take the necessary action to complement and extend existing EU environmental legislation. Recognising that the industry bears primary responsibility for preventing and reacting effectively to accidents, the Members call on the Commission to consider including operations related to hydraulic fracturing in Annex III of the Environmental Liability Directive and on the relevant authorities to require sufficient financial guarantees by operators for environmental and civil liability covering any accidents or unintended negative impacts caused by their own activities or those outsourced to others. Environmental aspects of hydraulic fracturing: the report recognises that shale gas exploration and extraction may possibly result in complex and cross-cutting interactions with the surrounding environment and that relatively high water volumes are involved in hydraulic fracturing. It highlights the need for advance water provision plans based on local hydrology with consideration for local water resources, the needs of other local water users and capacities for wastewater treatment. The Members call for mandatory baseline analysis of groundwater and geological analysis of the deep and shallow geology of a prospective shale play prior to authorisation. They also stress the need for scientific studies regarding the long-term impact on human health of fracking-related air pollution and water contamination. The Commission is called on to: · bring forward proposals to ensure that the provisions of Directive 2011/92/EU adequately cover the specificities of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane exploration and extraction; · bring forward proposals to explicitly include fracking fluids as hazardous waste under Annex III of the European Waste Directive (2008/98/EC); · ensure that the relevant European environmental standards are met in full, particularly with regard to the water used in hydrofracking, and that breaches are appropriately penalised; · issue guidance, without delay, on the establishment of both the baseline water monitoring data necessary for an environmental impact assessment of shale gas exploration and extraction and the criteria to be used for assessing the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater reservoirs in different geological formations, including potential leakage and cumulative impacts; · bring forward legislative proposals: i) to make the use of completion combustion devices (green completions) mandatory for all shale gas wells in the EU, ii) to limit flaring to cases where there are concerns about safety, and iii) to completely forbid venting of all shale gas wells, in an effort to reduce the fugitive methane emissions and volatile organic compounds linked to shale gas. The Members believe that many of the current controversies over UFF have partly resulted from an initial refusal by the industry to disclose the chemical content of fracturing fluids. They maintain that full transparency is required, with a mandatory obligation for all operators to fully disclose the chemical composition and concentration of fracturing fluids and to fully comply with existing EU legislation under the REACH regulation. Public participation and local conditions: recognising that drilling activities can worsen living conditions, the report calls on the industry to engage local communities and discuss shared solutions to minimise the impact of shale gas developments on traffic, road quality, and noise where development activities are being carried out. The Members call on Member States to ensure that local authorities are fully informed and involved, particularly when examining requests for sourcing and exploitation permits. Public participation should be ensured through adequate public information and through public consultation before each stage of exploitation and exploration. They also call for greater transparency with regard to impacts and to chemicals and technologies used, as well as greater transparency of all inspections and control measures. International aspects: the Members insist that lessons must be drawn from the USA on the exploitation of shale gas. They note with particular concern that shale gas extraction necessitates very large volumes of water, which may make it difficult to achieve the 7th target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) concerning access to clean water and food security, especially in poor countries that already face a severe scarcity of water. They are also worried about potential investment by European companies in unconventional oil or gas resources in developing countries. The report stresses that the EUs obligation to ensure policy coherence for development, enshrined in Article 208, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), must be respected. The Members take the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU should influence their behaviour to encourage more sustainable practices, such as by strengthening corporate governance standards and regulations applied to the banks and funds that finance them.
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A7-0283/2012
summary
- 2012/09/19 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
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2012/09/18
Amendments tabled in committee
- PE496.408
- 2012/05/29 Amendments tabled in committee
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2012/05/24
Deadline Amendments
- 2012/04/11 Committee draft report
- 2011/12/15 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
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2011/12/08
EP officialisation
Documents
- Committee draft report: PE483.605
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE489.634
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE496.408
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A7-0283/2012
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T7-0443/2012
Votes
A7-0283/2012 - Bogusław Sonik - Am 4
2012/11/21
| Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFD | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
| For | 262 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 8 | 4 | 136 | 55 | 1 |
| Against | 391 | 41 | 47 | 23 | 1 | 15 | 244 | 18 | 2 | 3 |
| Abstain | 37 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
A7-0283/2012 - Bogusław Sonik - § 34/1
2012/11/21
| Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFD | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
| For | 568 | 77 | 3 | 14 | 31 | 11 | 209 | 167 | 56 | 2 |
| Against | 114 | 1 | 44 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 41 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Abstain | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A7-0283/2012 - Bogusław Sonik - § 34/2
2012/11/21
| Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFD | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
| For | 345 | 70 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 8 | 14 | 161 | 54 | 2 |
| Against | 334 | 3 | 46 | 24 | 0 | 15 | 235 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Abstain | 15 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
A7-0283/2012 - Bogusław Sonik - Résolution
2012/11/21
| Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFD | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
| For | 562 | 76 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 243 | 168 | 53 | 4 |
| Against | 86 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Abstain | 43 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
A7-0283/2012 - Bogusław Sonik - Resolution
2012/11/21
| Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFD | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
| For | 562 | 76 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 243 | 168 | 53 | 4 |
| Against | 86 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Abstain | 43 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 226 |
2011/2308(INI) Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities
2012/05/06
JURI
16 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Understands shale gas exploration and extraction to refer to any unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and extraction using horizontal drilling and
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Understands
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 – b (new) -1b. Notes that, according to the scientific data available, Europe has rich deposits of shale gas, in particular in Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and that these reserves may be extracted cost-efficiently to the benefit of the economies of the Member States, while complying with environmental protection rules;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 – c (new) -1c. Notes that the extraction of shale gas in the United States has increased that country’s energy independence, significantly reduced energy costs and contributed to economic growth and the creation of thousands of new jobs; expresses its conviction that the Member States of the European Union would enjoy similar benefits if large-scale shale gas extraction were to be undertaken;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recognises that shale gas exploration and extraction are likely to
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3a (new) 3a. Recalls the Member States' right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy resources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply according to Article 194 TFEU, provided that the acquis communautaire, especially in the field of environmental legislation, is fully respected;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission to make a comprehensive review of existing legislation and if necessary bring forward proposals to ensure that the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive adequately cover the specificities of shale gas exploration and extraction, to include hydraulic fracturing in Annex III to the Environmental Liability Directive, to require
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5a (new) 5a. Recalls that the Guidance Note Ref. Ares (2011)1339393 dated 12/12/2011 of the Commission, DG Environment, confirms that the Council Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended and as codified by Directive 2011/92/EU, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (known as the Environmental Impact Assessment or the EIA Directive) sufficiently covers exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons; calls on the Member States, the industry and environmental groups to assess the selection criteria of Annex III of the EIA Directive as transposed by the relevant Member State and tailor the selection criteria, if not already covered or required, to the needs of drilling operations using hydraulic fracturing; Recalls that if hydraulic fracturing as technology is being used, such technology is part of the overall conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities, which are covered by the above mentioned EU environmental legislation (see 3) and Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 1994 on the conditions for granting and using authorizations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons; Recalls that hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation uses standards and practices that exceed regulatory requirements, recognizing that regulations and standards are not static but evolve and improve as new information and technologies become available; therefore, the industry develops, in transparency with local regulatory bodies, environmental groups and communities, recommended standards and practices on the basis of generally accepted scientific and engineering principles;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. C
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7a (new) Recalls that, when conducting the hydraulic fracturing technology with an average of 2000 – 3000 meters below the groundwater level, there is no direct discharge of pollutants into the groundwater as defined in Article 11(3)(j) juncto Article 2, 32, juncto Article 2, 2° of the Water Framework Directive; Calls on the industry, in transparency with national regulatory bodies, environmental groups and communities, to take measures necessary to prevent any deterioration of the status of all relevant bodies of groundwater, in order to maintain the good groundwater status as defined in the Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 source: PE-491.087
2012/05/29
ENVI
166 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 a (new) - having regard to Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds,[1][1] OJ L 020 26.01.2010, p. 7
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 7 – having regard to Directive 20
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 a (new) - having regard to Council directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (Drinking Water Directive);
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 10 a (new) - having regard to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (as amended)[1]; and Decision 406/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April2009 on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020[2],[1] OJ L 338 13.11.2004, p. 18-23 [2] OJ L 140 05.06.2009, p. 136
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 11 a (new) - having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (aligning existing EU legislation to the United Nations Globally Harmonised System (GHS))[1][1] OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p.1
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 17 a (new) - having regard to Petitions 886/2011 (on extraction of shale gas in Poland) and 1378/2011(on the risks associated with shale gas exploration and extraction in Bulgaria) of the Committee on Petition.
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 17 a (new) - having regard to the study published by the Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department A: Economic and Scientific Policy of the European Parliament in June 2011: Impacts of shale oil and shale gas extraction on the environment and on human health,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 18 – having regard to Articles 4, 11, 191, 192, 193 and 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of European Union,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas recent technological advancements have already spurred a rapid, commercial-scale extraction of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) in certain parts of the world, significantly increasing energy security, strengthening a development of the Internal Energy Market and the overall economy and increasing employment, competitiveness and innovativeness;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas recent technological advancements have already spurred a rapid, commercial-scale extraction of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) in certain parts of the world,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas recent technological advancements have already spurred a rapid, commercial-scale extraction of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) in certain parts of the world,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas recent technological advancements have already spurred a rapid, commercial-scale extraction of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) in certain parts of the world
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas hydraulic fracturing and extraction of unconventional fossil fuels contradict EU climate objectives, risk delaying the necessary economic transition away from fossil fuels and have negative impacts on employment, competitiveness and innovation in other economic sectors, in particular agriculture, tourism, and other activities dependent on water and ecosystem services;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas EU climate and competitivity objectives impose an energetic transition away from fossil fuels, increased efforts for energy efficiency and consistent investments in renewable energies;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas the development of shale gas is not uncontroversial in the EU or worldwide, thereby necessitating a thorough examination of all the impacts (on the environment, public health and climate change) before developing this technology further;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels results in extremely high CO2 emissions and stimulates uncontrollable climate change;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) A b. whereas hydraulic fracturing and extraction of unconventional fossil fuels could have negative impacts on other economic sectors, in particular in agriculture, tourism, and other activities dependent on water and ecosystem services;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 i
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 indentifies that gas will be critical for the transformation of the energy system by helping to reduce emissions; whereas the Commission notes that shale gas and other
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Recital Ba (new) Ba. whereas hydraulic fracturing is neither a new nor an intrinsically complex process; whereas hydraulic fracturing has taken place in more than two million wells worldwide, including around 300 wells in Europe, since the late-1940s;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 indentifies that gas will be critical for the transformation of the energy system by helping to reduce emissions; whereas
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 i
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas increasing oil and gas extraction results in a lowering of the incentive to switch to renewable energies;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) B a. whereas gas can be used to serve base load power generation as well as provide reliable back-up power for variable power sources, such as wind and solar this reliability reduces the technical challenges of grid balancing; whereas gas is also an efficient fuel for heating/cooling and numerous other industrial uses which enhance EU competitiveness.
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) Bb. whereas unconventional fossil fuels are superfluous in terms of the switching of the energy system to renewable energies;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the two main techniques deployed in unleashing the UFF potential of shale gas and coal bed methane, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have been used
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the two main techniques deployed in unleashing the UFF potential, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have been used for decades
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) C a. whereas the EU is committed to a legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy; whereas any decisions on exploitation of UFF should be seen in the context of the need to cut emissions;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas to date there has been no EU (framework) directive for regulating mining activities;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas there is no sufficient data on fracturing chemicals and environmental and health risks associated with hydraulic fracturing; whereas important analysis is still ongoing and there is a growing need for further and continuous research; whereas the existence and transparency of data, sampling and tests is paramount to high-
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas important analysis is still ongoing and there is a growing need for further and continuous research; whereas the existence and transparency of data, sampling and tests is paramount to high- quality research in support of
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas the estimated level of deposits of unconventional fossil fuels in the EU has already had to be corrected downwards to a significant degree several times in the past;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas any type of fossil fuel and mineral extraction involves potential risks for
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas any type of fossil fuel and mineral extraction involves potential risks for human health and the environment; whereas it is essential that
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas any type of fossil fuel and minerals extraction might involve
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas any type of fossil fuel and mineral extraction involves potential risks for the environment; whereas it is essential that
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas EU Member States such as France and Bulgaria have already posed a moratorium on shale gas extraction due to environmental and public health concerns;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas shale gas exploitation projects are not generally subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment despite the environmental risks of such projects.
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas the EU has the role to ensure a high level of human health protection in all of the Union's policies and activities,
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas many governments in Europe, such as France, Bulgaria, North Rhine Westphalia in Germany, Fribourg and Vaud in Switzerland, as well as a number of US states (North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont and more than 100 local governments) and other countries around the world (South Africa, Quebec in Canada, New South Wales in Australia) currently have a ban or moratorium in place on the use of hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E b (new) E b. whereas a number of Member States, such as the Czech Republic, Romania and Germany, are currently considering a moratorium on the exploration and extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas several Member states, as well as other countries around the world and a number of US states currently have or are considering a ban or a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E b (new) E b. whereas the Environmental Liability Directive does not oblige operators to take out adequate insurance considering the high costs associated with accidents in the extractive industries
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Stresses that, notwithstanding the Member States’ exclusive prerogative to exploit their energy resources, any development of UFF should ensure a fair and level playing field across the Union, in full compliance with relevant EU safety and environmental protection laws;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1a (new) 1a. Considers that a thorough analysis of the EU regulatory framework regarding exploration and exploitation of UFF is needed before further action is taken in this area,
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1 a. Urges Member States to not allow further shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane activities to proceed given the serious environmental and health risks involved in hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1 a. asks Member States given the serious environmental and health risks involved in hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas, to consider a ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing, and a moratorium on the extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations until other less risky techniques are operational;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1 a. Notes that the European Commission has not yet formed a view on whether the current EU regulatory framework sufficiently covers the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, and so is undertaking the following studies: - DG ENVI study on the identification of risks and the appropriateness of current legislation and standards; - DG CLIMA study on GHG emissions from shale gas; - JRC study on whether the REACH exposure scenarios for a set of substances generally used in fracking fluids could be considered adequate for shale gas operations; - JRC study on the potential cumulative impacts on water and land-use; - JRC study on the effects of shale gas on EU energy markets;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1 b. Considers that once the Commission has finished their studies, MEPs should revisit the issue of hydraulic fracturing; urges Member States to be cautious in going further with shale gas until these studies are completed;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1 a. Takes note of some, widely contested, studies claiming that GHG emissions from shale gas, in the short run, may not be lower than these from coal; points out, however, the uncontested view that both conventional and unconventional gas provide, in the long run, a clear environmental advantage over coal which is still an important energy source in some EU countries; sees, in this context, shale gas as a valuable "bridge fuel" on the EU's path to energy based on renewables;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1 b. Recognizes, however, that unconventional gas operations will have an impact on GHG emissions and must be addressed by the adoption of Best Available Techniques, helping to reduce emissions throughout the whole life-cycle of the shale gas process and in particular helping to drastically contribute towards the reduction of fugitive gas emissions in the well venting and flaring process;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1 b. Points out that full utilisation of current discovered carbon resources would already be completely incompatible with maintaining climate change to any safe limits, therefore considers that UFF are over-evaluated and have significant investments insecurity as it is will not be possible to exploit them;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 c (new) 1 c. Notes that the exploration and production of natural gas in Europe is already among the most highly regulated processes in the world; further notes a recent study commissioned by DG Energy confirmed the EU's current regulatory framework is adequate for early exploration (seismic/test drilling) activities; recognises the importance of effective implementation at Member State level of existing regulations as a crucial way of reducing risk in all gas extraction operations.
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Believes that,
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Believes that, given the relative novelty of UFF to the general public, a thorough assessment should be conducted on the basis of the European regulatory framework once the Commission has completed its studies, and improvement measures taken, where necessary;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Believes that, given the relative novelty of UFF to the general public, a thorough assessment should be conducted on the basis of the European regulatory framework and improvement measures taken, where necessary; in relation to large-scale commercial exploitation;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Calls for the inclusion of projects including hydraulic fracturing in Annex I of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Stresses that
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Stresses that
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Stresses that prevailing expert opinion indicates that the inherent risks of UFF extraction, most of which are common to conventional fossil fuel extraction, could be contained through pre-emptive measures, including proper planning, testing, use of new
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Welcomes the Commission's preliminary assessment on the EU environmental legal framework applicable to
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4 a. Calls on the Commission introduce an EU-wide risk management framework for unconventional fossil fuels exploration or extraction, in view of ensuring that harmonised provisions for the protection of human health and the environment apply across all Member States;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 b (new) 4 b. Notes that methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, the emissions of which must be fully accounted for under either Directive 2003/87 (ETS) or Decision 406/2009 (the 'effort sharing decision');
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States and the competent regulatory authorities, to introduce ongoing monitoring of developments in this area and take the necessary action
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Calls on the Commission to assess the necessity of introducing a mandatory environmental impact assessment for drilling;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that proper regulation of UFF exploration and extraction ultimately depends on the competence and resources of the relevant national authorities; calls on Member States, therefore, to ensure
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that proper regulation of UFF exploration and extraction - in full compliance with existing EU legislation - ultimately depends on the competence and resources of the relevant national authorities; calls on Member States, therefore, to ensure
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6 a. Calls on the Commission to introduce a legislative proposal with regard to shale gas and shale oil extraction activities;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes the importance of the work undertaken by reputable institutions, notably the International Energy Agency (IEA), to prepare
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes the importance of the work undertaken by reputable institutions, notably the International Energy Agency (IEA), to prepare a comprehensive Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference document on hydraulic fracturing; calls on the Commission to cooperate with the Member States, the IEA, the environmental bodies and industry associations to this end;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Calls for the development by the European IPPC Bureau of clear and binding set of European Best Available Techniques Reference (BREF) for fracking operators;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1a (new) 1a. Stresses the importance of putting in place a set of European Best Available Technology Reference Standards for fracking operators,
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Calls on the Commission to include shale gas extraction under the Industrial Emissions Directive and requirements regarding Best Available Techniques, in addition to the waste treatment requirements under Mining Waste Directive;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Calls on those national authorities which have authorised UFF exploration to review existing state regulations on well construction for conventional fossil fuels and to update those provisions covering the specifics of UFF extraction;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recognises that industry bears primary responsibility for
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recognises that industry bears primary responsibility for preventing and reacting to accidents and calls for Member States to require from operators sufficient compulsory financial guarantees for environmental and civil liability for responding to any accidents or unintended negative impacts, at all stages of exploration, exploitation and dismantling; welcomes the progress made by the industry in setting high environmental and safety standards, but notes that strong concerns about the sufficiency of such standards still exists; stresses the importance of monitoring the industry's compliance by means of regular inspections carried out by trained and independent specialists;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recognises that industry bears primary responsibility for preventing and, where necessary, reacting to accidents; welcomes the progress made by the industry in setting high environmental and safety standards; stresses the importance of monitoring the industry’s compliance by means of regular inspections carried out by trained specialists; considers that, in cases of environmental pollution, the ‘polluter pays’ principle should apply;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Calls on the
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Calls on the Commission to recognize a need and necessity of designing and applying EU funding vehicles for R&D, such as Horizon 2020 and SET, to accommodate advanced research in environmentally ameliorative technologies in UFF;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Reiterates its call to the Commission and the Member States, expressed in its resolution of 15 March 2012 on a Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, to push for a faster implementation of the G-20 agreement on removing fossil fuel subsidies; considers that exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels sources, including unconventional sources, must not be subsidised from public funds ;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Recalls the G20 commitment to phase out fossil fuels subsidies; concludes consequently that exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels sources, including unconventional sources, must not be subsidised from public funds;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b (new) 10 b. Considers that mutual non- disclosure agreements regarding damage to environmental, human and animal health, that have been practiced between landowners in the vicinity of shale gas wells and shale gas operators in the US would not be in line with Union and Member State obligations under the Aarhus convention, the Access to Information directive (2003/04/EC) and the Environmental Liability Directive;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Acknowledges that the types of rocks present in each individual region determine the design and method of extraction activities; calls for mandatory
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Stresses the need of scientific studies regarding fracking-related air pollution and water contamination impact on human health in the long run
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the effective implementation of laws on mining environmental impact assessment into national legislation; at the same time stresses that each impact assessment should be carried out as an open and transparent process;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11 a. Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to ensure Environmental Impact Assessment Directive provisions adequately cover the specificities of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane exploration and extraction; insists that prior environmental impact assessment include full life cycle impacts on air quality, soil quality, water quality, geological stability, land use and noise pollution;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11 a. Notes that there is a risk of seismic tremors as demonstrated by shale gas exploration in the north-west of England; supports the recommendations of the UK Government commissioned report that operators be required to meet certain seismic and microseismic standards;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11 a. Recalls that the sustainability of shale gas is yet not proven; calls on the Commission and Member States to assess thoroughly the greenhouse gas emissions during the entire process of extraction and production to prove the environmental integrity;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 b (new) 11 b. Calls on the Commission to include hydraulic fracturing in Annex III of the Environmental Liability Directive and to require compulsory financial security or insurance in case of environmental damage;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 c (new) 11 c. Considers it appropriate, in context of liability, considers it appropriate to provide for the reversal of the burden of proof for shale gas operators, where, in view of the nature of the disturbance and its adverse effects, other possible causes and any other circumstances, the balance of probability indicates that shale gas operations were the cause of the environmental damage;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 d (new) 11 d. Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to explicitly include fracking fluids as 'hazardous waste' under Annex III of the European Waste Directive (2008/98/EC);
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recognises the
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing; points out, however, that such volumes are not as significant in comparison to the needs of other industrial activities and many other energy production methods (such as coal, biofuels or nuclear energy); highlights the need for advance water provision plans based in every single case on local hydrology;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12.
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recogni
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing; points out, however, that such volumes are not as significant in comparison to the needs of other industrial activities; highlights the need for strategic consideration of the water resources and requirements of citizens and various local economic operators as well as advance water provision plans based on local hydrology;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the relevant European environmental standards are met in full, particularly with regard to the water used in hydrofracking, and that breaches are appropriately penalised;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12 a. Recalls that Water Framework Directive requires Member States to implement the measures necessary to prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater, including from point sources such as hydrocarbon exploration and extraction;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12 a. Takes note of research indicating that a distance of 600 metres between aquifers and drilling provides safety for aquifers as fractures are not known to exceed this range; takes note that in a vast majority of cases this distance is maintained as shale gas reservoirs usually lie at a depth 3km or even lower; points out, however, that if this distance was in some rare cases shallower than 600 metres additional precautions should be applied
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Believes that, given the depth
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Believes that, given the depth (over 3km) at which hydraulic fracturing takes place, the main concern regarding groundwater contamination is well integrity and the quality of casing and cementing; stresses therefore that these wells must be regularly monitored for an extended period of time during and after production has ceased;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13.
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Believes that, given the depth (over 3km) at which hydraulic fracturing takes place, the main concern regarding groundwater contamination is well integrity and the quality of casing and cementing which should be resistant to low magnitude earthquakes;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Concurs with the Commission analysis that Article 11 (3)(j) of the Water Framework Directive does not allow the injection of flow back water for disposal into geological formations;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Is aware of the fact that, to reach the shale gas and the place where hydraulic fracturing will take place, one needs to first cross drinking water resources; this will bring risks of contamination of this water;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Calls for a blanket ban on hydrofracking in certain sensitive and particularly endangered areas, such as in and beneath drinking water protection areas and in coal mining areas;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Stress out that as it has been proven by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an extensive survey on fracture stimulation practices and the potential effect on drinking water (in 2004)[1], hydraulic fracturing does not create pathways for fluids to travel between rock formations to affect the water supply; looks forward to other forthcoming EPA reports and encourages Commission and Member States to exchange best practices and experiences with the Agency;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Stresses that effective prevention requires consistent monitoring of strict adherence to the established highest standards and practices in well-bore construction; underlines that both industry and competent authorities should ensure regular quality control for casing and cement integrity; points out that this requires significant human resources and technical expertise taking into account also the very high well density of such operations;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Stresses that effective prevention requires consistent monitoring of strict adherence to the established highest standards and practices in well-bore construction; underlines that both industry, and competent authorities should ensure regular quality control for casing and cement integrity as well as the quality of groundwater in close cooperation with drinking water companies;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Stresses that effective prevention requires consistent monitoring of strict adherence to the established highest standards and practices in well-bore construction; underlines that both industry and competent authorities should ensure regular quality control for casing and cement integrity; well completion reports should be submitted to appropriate authorities;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Calls for the establishment of a compensation arrangement requiring operators to demonstrate that they are adequately insured for their own activities and those outsourced to others before they begin drilling work;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Believes that on-site closed-loop water recycling, using steel storage tanks, offers the most environmentally sound way of treating flow-back water by minimising water volumes, the potential for surface spills and costs/traffic/road damage relating to water treatment transportation; rejects injection of flow back waste waters for disposal;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Believes that on-site closed-loop water recycling, using steel storage tanks, offers
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16.
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Believes that
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16.
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Calls for strict implementation of existing waste water treatment standards and compulsory water management plans by operators, in cooperation with the competent authorities; stresses however that existing treatment plants are ill- equipped to treat hydraulic fracturing waste water and may be discharging pollutants to rivers and streams;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Calls for strict implementation of existing waste water treatment standards and compulsory water management plans by operators, in cooperation with the competent authorities; considers, to this end, that a full assessment of all the relevant water treatment plants in the member states concerned should be carried on by the competent authorities;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Calls for strict implementation of existing waste water treatment standards and compulsory water management plans by operators, in cooperation with the drinking water companies and the competent authorities;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Stresses that a minimum safety distance should be maintained between drilling pads and water wells.
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 b (new) 17 b. Calls upon competent national geological surveys to carry out baseline sampling of aquifers in areas where permissions for shale gas extraction are granted in order to be able to assess whether possible incidences of methane occurrence in drinking water have anything to do with drilling activities or had been there before drilling took place;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Considers that there
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Considers that there should be a mandatory obligation
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Considers that there should be a mandatory obligation to
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18.
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Calls on the Commission to request the European Chemicals Agency to conduct a manual analysis of registration dossiers, their updates and the notifications submitted by downstream user companies with regard to chemicals likely to be used in hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, oil or coal bed methane, so as to check whether the related exposure scenarios and risk management measures are adequate, within the times required by the REACH law, and report by end of 2012;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Stresses that additives used in hydraulic fracturing fluids are widely used in many commercial products and other applications.
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Takes note of recent Austrian research on fracturing without chemicals which are replaced by cornstarch; points out, however, that if proved successful there, this technique may still need adjustments to different geological conditions in other countries;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Notes that multi-horizontal
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Notes that multi-horizontal-well drilling pads minimise land use and landscape disturbance over a larger area, but intensifies the impacts at the point of drilling over a longer period of time;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Notes that multi-horizontal-well drilling pads minimise land use and landscape disturbance as well as GHG emissions;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Recognizes the need to ensure effective and timely legislative response at the EU level in case monitoring of the mass-scale extraction of the UFF discloses the significant negative environmental impacts;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Notes that the production volumes of shale gas wells in the United States are characterized by a sharp decline after the first two years, which leads to a high intensity of continuous drilling for new wells, notes that the storage tanks, compressor stations and pipeline infrastructure further add to the land use impact of the shale gas activities;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Calls on those Member States who decide to develop shale gas or other unconventional fossil fuel reserves to send national plans to the Commission detailing how the exploitation of these reserves fits in with their national emission reduction targets under the EU Effort Sharing Decision;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Recognizes that constant technological improvements in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling enable to safely develop vast deposits of UFF and to limit potential environmental effects; encourages industry to continue efforts to advance technology and to use the best technological solutions in development of UFF resources.
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Calls upon competent national geological surveys to carry out baseline seismic monitoring in seismically vulnerable areas where permissions for shale gas extraction are granted in order to establish background seismicity which would allow assessment for the possibility and potential impact of any induced earthquakes;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Calls for shale gas exploitation to be subject to Environmental Impact Assessments as provided for by Directive 2011/92/EU.
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 b (new) 19 b. Points out that any favourable comparison of lifecycle ghg balance of shale gas compared to coal is dependent on a one-hundred year atmospheric lifetime assumption; considers that the necessity to peak global emissions by 2020 would warrant examination over a shorter period, e.g. 20 years as more appropriate; calls for further scientific research to fugitive methane emissions to improve accounting for such emissions under member states annual inventories and targets under Effort Sharing Decision;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 b (new) 19 b. Calls on the Commission to swiftly finalise their study on the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of shale gas extraction and production in order to correctly account for these emissions in the future;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 b (new) 19 b. Underlines that additional natural gas from unconventional resources can significantly lower the level of GHG emissions, and thus help achieve EU's GHG reduction goals while at the same time maintaining security and affordability of energy supplies and preserve Europe's competitiveness.
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 b (new) 19 b. Calls on the Commission to make the necessary proposals to ensure that the Environmental Liability Directive obliges operators to take out insurance which reflects the true cost of potential accidents so that proper compensation can be paid even in the event of insolvency.
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 c (new) 19 c. Urges the Commission to bring forward legislative proposals to make the use of a completion combustion device, i.e. 'green completions' mandatory for all shale gas wells in the EU, to limit flaring only in case of concerns about safety and to forbid venting of all shale gas wells completely, in an effort to reduce the fugitive methane emissions and volatile organic compounds linked to shale gas;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 c (new) 19 c. Further notes that the use of multi- horizontal well drilling pads is to minimize transport traffic and need for new road construction which would also significantly reduce noise level and lessen adverse impact on air quality.
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 d (new) 19 d. Stresses that unconventional gas can make a substantive contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 e (new) 19 e. Recognizes that natural gas from shale rock can play an important complementary role supporting development of renewable energy sources in Europe, like solar and wind power plants, which need an additional, stabilizing energy source.
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Recognises that drilling activities c
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Recognises that drilling activities could temporarily worsen living conditions and calls, therefore, for this issue to be taken into account at the time of the necessary authorisation for the sourcing and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and for all the necessary measures to be taken, in particular by the industry, to minimise the adverse consequences of such activities;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20 a. Calls on all Member States, taking into account the negative environmental, health and land use impacts and where it is not possible to guarantee no deterioration of water resources from hydraulic fracturing, to suspend on-going shale gas or other UFF activities, and to refrain from further permits for any new projects, whether exploration or exploitation;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20 a. Calls on industry to engage local communities and discuss shared solutions to minimise the impact of shale gas developments on traffic, road quality, and noise where development activities are being carried out;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on Member States to ensure that local authorities are fully informed and involved, particularly when examining requests for sourcing and exploitation permits; calls, in particular, for full access to impact assessments regarding the environment, residents’ health and the local economy;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Believes that public participation should be ensured through adequate public information campaigns before exploration and through public consultation of the local communities, as part of the authorization procedure, before the exploitation stages; calls for greater outreach and public education in UFF activities in order to ensure public understanding, acceptance and confidence in the regulation of these activities;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Believes that public participation should be ensured through adequate public information
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Believes that public participation should be ensured through adequate public information campaigns before exploration and through public consultation before the exploitation stages; calls for greater outreach and public education in UFF activities in order to ensure public understanding, acceptance and confidence in the regulation of these activities; is of the opinion that business's involvement in these campaigns may also contribute to the general acceptance of their future operations;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21 a. Encourages Member States and the Commission to use the framework of the EU-U.S. Energy Council to exchange expertise and best practices on environmental issues related to the UFF;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 b (new) 21 b. Recognizes that in order to address all issues related to UFF a much better exchange of information among industry, regulators and the public is required;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Welcomes in this regard the 2012 EU budget appropriation for such a public dialogue and encourages the Member States to make use of this funding so as to ensure that citizens living in potential UFF development areas are better informed
source: PE-489.634
2012/08/05
DEVE
44 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that numerous studies
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that numerous studies, and experience from the US, demonstrate
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that numerous studies, and experience from the US, demonstrate that a number of
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Emphasises that numerous studies, and experience from the US, demonstrate that a number of serious risks to the environment
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses that unconventional gas is associated with major risks, related to the use of chemicals; water contaminated with radioactive substances such as radon and uranium; high amount of water used for the fracturing of fluid; potentially high emissions of methane, etc.;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses that unconventional shale gas mining may pose serious risks with regards to water contamination caused by the use of hazardous chemicals in the fracturing process;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Considers that the use of shale gas and other fossil fuels must be consistent with UNFCCC Article 2, which calls for the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" and underlines that substantial lock-in to fossil fuel infrastructures such as shale gas would put this international objective out of reach;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Stresses that the exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources could hamper the achievement of ‘MDG 7 on Environmental Sustainability’, while jeopardising commitments taken regarding climate change, that already affect poor countries the most; furthermore, stresses that in addition to direct health and environmental effects, impacts of unconventional gas or oil extraction on livelihoods pose a particular threat among others in African countries where local communities largely depend on natural resources for agriculture and fisheries;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Stresses that
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Stresses that the exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources could
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Stresses that the exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources could hamper the achievement of ‘MDG 7 on Environmental Sustainability’,
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Insists that lessons must be drawn from the USA on exploitation of shale gas; in particular, notes with concern that shale gas extraction necessitates very large volumes of water, which will jeopardise the achievement of MDG 7 on access to clean water and food security, especially in poor countries facing already a huge scarcity of water;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines that
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines that land acquisitions for oil and gas mining are a major driver of land- grabbing globally and pose a significant threat to the world's indigenous communities, farmers and poor people in terms of access to water, fertile soil and food; notes that, following the 2008 collapse of financial markets, there has been a marked acceleration of global investments in extractive industries from hedge and pension funds investors, with the effect of further driving their extractions;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines that land acquisitions for oil and gas mining are
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines that
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Stresses that hydraulic fracking requires an enormous amount of water, and is concerned that in areas which suffer from drought, local communities and farmers may suffer water shortages if their needs are not prioritised;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes with concern that the current regulatory framework of EU legislation does not provide an adequate guarantee against the risks to the environment and human health resulting from shale gas activities; is worried, therefore, about any potential investment by European companies in unconventional oil or gas resources in developing countries, bearing in mind that the effects of oil companies' activities on the environment, health and development i.e. in Sub-Sahara Africa already demonstrate that implementation and enforcement of law represent a main constraint;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes with concern that the current regulatory framework of EU legislation
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes with concern that the current regulatory framework of EU legislation does not provide an adequate guarantee against the risks to the environment and human health resulting from shale gas activities;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls for granting technological and expert support to developing countries in order to enable the safe and sustainable exploitation of shale gas preceded by consultations and evaluation of its impact on the environment;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Is worried about any potential investment by European companies in unconventional oil or gas resources in developing countries;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Urges the Commission, Member States, EIB and investors to maintaining dialogue with local societies concerning the exploration of shell gas in developing countries;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU has a responsibility to influence their behaviour as regards more sustainable practices, i.e. by strengthening corporate governance standards and regulations applied to the banks and funds that finance them, including through Equator Principles, the Principles of Responsible Investment, the European Investment Bank and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU has a responsibility to influence their behaviour as regards more sustainable practices, i.e. by
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU has a responsibility to influence their behaviour as regards more sustainable practices, i.e. by strengthening corporate governance standards and regulations applied to the banks and funds that finance them; also stresses that the EU's obligation to ensure Policy Coherence for Development, enshrined in Article 208 TFEU, must be respected;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU has a responsibility to influence their behaviour as regards more sustainable practices, i.e. by strengthening corporate governance standards and regulations applied to the banks and funds that finance them; and to create a legislative framework in order to have quality guarantees of the technology used, to prevent possible negative side effects;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Takes the view that, in hosting companies investing in extractive activities, the EU
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Recalls that in addition to regulations in the countries where they operate, international oil companies are also subject to the jurisdictions where they are listed on a stock exchange; considers that home country regulation should provide an effective means of protecting human rights in situations where accountability gaps exist, on the model of the United States Alien Tort Claims Acts;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that many instruments exist t
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that many instruments exist that could address the negative social and environmental impacts of the activities of extractive industries, such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; points out, however, that voluntary guidelines are insufficient to mitigate the negative impact of extraction; hence, stresses upon the need to further consider the question of imposing direct legal obligations on business entities under international human rights law and how such obligations might be monitored;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that many instruments exist that could address
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Notes that the EU Accounting and Transparency Directives are currently being revised which is an opportunity to prevent against tax evasion and corruption by extractive industries;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Urges the Commission to
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Urges the Commission to identify new options for
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Is concerned that some unconventional oil and gas companies operate to different safety standards worldwide; calls for Member States to require companies headquartered in the EU to apply EU standards in all their operations worldwide;
source: PE-489.399
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History
(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)
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Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stageNew
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