Westmeath Examiner: Fracking will have to pass environmental test

Draft laws agreed by MEPs will ensure that the public is informed and consulted about all new fracking projects, and that they are subject to a compulsory environmental impact assessment (EIA).

At the moment, the law requires that natural gas projects that extract at least 500,000 cubic meters per day undergo environmental testing. However many shale gas extraction projects yield less than that amount, and so can avoid having to carry out impact studies.

If MEPs can persuade member states to accept their proposals, an environmental impact assessment will be mandatory for whatever quantity of shalegas, oil, coal or gas is extracted.  MORE