Netherlands Formalises Fracking Moratorium
The Dutch government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte has adopted a Parliamentary motion that forbids shale gas extraction in the Netherlands during the present government's term of office, which is to run until end 2016.
Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp says that his department will continue its research into shale gas, with a study on the impacts and risks of the development of the unconventional gas due in late 2015.
Many local governments have already expressed their position on shale gas development with 170 municipalities declaring their oppose shale gas extraction.
Related Reading: Dutch parliament forbids shale gas exploitation for two more years