Reuters: German scientists see scope for 'greener' fracking

German geologists plan to campaign for greater public acceptance of hydraulic fracking in Europe's biggest economy, saying there is scope to make the shale gas industry more environmentally friendly.

While German consumers are unhappy about the cost of their energy bills, there is widespread public distrust of fracking and Chancellor Angela Merkel has put legislation on the issue on hold pending a September general election.

But geologists from three leading institutions told a conference on Tuesday they will launch a programme calling for exploration of the country's shale gas potential.

"If we could arrive at some sort of 'green' fracking, that would be very exportable," said Michael Kosniowski, head of the groundwater and soil division at the Federal Institute for Geosciences (BGR).  MORE