Science|Business: Controversy as EU announces €11.6M in funding for fracking research

Disquiet among environmentalists as EU picks Edinburgh University and University College London to lead research studies on the impact of shale gas exploration above and below ground.

Two research projects to investigate the impact of shale gas exploitation and fracking have each been awarded funding from Horizon 2020, the EU's research programme.

The projects, led by Edinburgh University and University College London, aim to provide objective assessments of the environmental impact of the controversial technique. The money will flow from an €11.6 million pot for shale gas research.

“For the very first time, we have launched a dedicated action which will support researchers and scientists in their quest to understand, prevent and mitigate the potential environmental impacts and risks of shale gas exploration and exploitation,” said Robert-Jan Smits, director-general for the European Commission’s Research and Innovation directorate. Read full article HERE.