Reuters: EU policy-makers consider case for shale gas regulation

European policy-makers will decide by the end of the year whether they need tailor-made rules to cover the development of shale gas reserves, a senior official said on Thursday.

Until now, the European Commission, the EU executive, has said existing environmental law is adequate for the early stages of shale gas exploration in Europe.

Jos Delbeke, director general of the Commission's climate action service, said he expected an announcement around the end of the year as part of a package of future energy and climate policies, addressing 2030 energy targets, energy costs and also shale gas.

"We will deal with shale gas as part of the 2030 questions that are on the table," Delbeke told a debate on shale gas.

"We are doing an analysis of where there may be gaps in our legislation. There may be legislation from the EU."  MORE