Shale gas firms face binding law if they fail ‘scoreboard’ test / New regulations for the gas shale industry

According to new EU rules seen by EurActiv in January 2014, European countries allowing shale gas drills would have to publish a ‘scoreboard’ showing compliance with ‘best environmental practices’ which could become legally-binding within 18 months.

The Guardian reported on 14 January 2014 however that the UK had defeated French attempts to get the EU to set legally binding environmental regulations for the continent's fledgling shale gas industry. Instead, the European Commission would propose recommendations rather than a legally binding directive.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: French oil giant Total to invest in UK shale gas http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-oil-giant-total-to-invest-in-uk-shale-gas/

ESO: Background information: Brussels says energy-intensive industry is coping well despite US price gap http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-says-energy-intensive-industry-is-coping-well-despite-us-price-gap/

ESO: Background information: France reaffirms opposition to shale gas exploration http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-reaffirms-opposition-to-shale-gas-exploration/

The Guardian, 14.01.14: UK defeats European bid for fracking regulations http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/14/uk-defeats-european-bid-fracking-regulations

The Guardian, 14.01.14: Fracking opponents are being irrational, says David Cameron http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/14/fracking-opponents-irrational-says-david-cameron

European Commission: DG Environment: Policies: Energy and Environment: Environmental Aspects on Unconventional Fossil Fuels http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/energy/unconventional_en.htm

EurActiv [Opinion], 21.01.14: Commission should stop buying the shale gas hype http://www.euractiv.com/energy/commission-stp-buying-shale-gas-analysis-532906

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