Poland to EU: Hands off Our Shale Plans

Poland will oppose any attempt by the European Union to implement regulations to limit shale gas development.

Speaking on behalf of the Poland Foreign Ministry at the European Unconventional Gas Summit being held in Krakow, Maciej Olex-Szczytowski said: “Quite possibly we are going to veto any interference in our country’s energy independence.”

In early September, European Energy Commissioner said that he intended to introduce community wide rules on the development of shale gas.

Guenther Oettinger said that the move to standardize regulations was necessary in the face of environmental concerns related to the process of hydraulic fracturing used in the extraction of the unconventional gas.

"I think we'll get a high level of acceptance when we have the same, European common standards, a high level of safety and security and quality for environmental interests," said Oettinger.

However last week Oettinger’s spokesperson Marlene Holzner, said the European Commission is not planning to propose any new legislation regarding shale gas.

A report issued in July on shale gas and shale oil development prepared by German experts for the European Parliament drew an outcry from Polish government officials and MEPs.

The report titled Impacts of Shale Gas and Shale Oil Extraction on the Environment and on Human Health, was harsh in criticisms against the extraction of hydrocarbons from shale on environmental and sustainability concerns.

The discussion of EU-wide regulation comes as a poll shows that 73 percent of Poles back shale gas exploration and development.

A survey conducted by Warsaw-based CBOS pollsters disclosed that only four percent of Poles oppose shale gas production, while 23 percent have no opinion on the matter.