EurActiv: German experts: Fracking is unnecessary and risky

Experts at the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) called for their analysis to be used as an input for the European fracking debate.

Extracting shale gas through fracking is not essential for the German Energiewende, the energy transition policy stemming from the decision to close down all nuclear reactors by 2022, the SRU contends.

The scientists advising the German government advocate caution regarding the new technology. Under no circumstances should it be used for commercial production of shale gas, because in their perspective there are "serious gaps of knowledge about its environmental impact".

Fracking should merely be used in pilot projects, with a compulsory assessment of its environmental effects and with "close scientific monitoring". These kinds of demonstration projects should be planned and implemented in a transparent way involving the public. In accordance with the polluter pays principle, the resulting costs should be borne by the extracting industry, the scientists argue.

So far, there is almost no legislation in Germany regarding fracking. The Federal government was planning to pass a fracking law this year. However, days ago the coalition has withdrawn the draft legislation due to internal opposition. Hence, the bill shall be adopted during the next legislative period, said Volker Kauder, chairman of the centre-right CDU/CSU group in the Bundestag.  MORE