AP: Protesters decry Lithuania's shale gas plans

Waving signs reading "Chevron, go away!," protesters demonstrated Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital against the government's plans to let the U.S oil company to begin shale gas exploration.

An estimated 500 protesters shouted and banged drums in central Vilnius in response to a recent government move to issue Chevron an exploration license for western Lithuania. One protester carried a sign that read "No American capitalists on Lithuanian soil."

Critics say shale gas exploration and production creates a significant environmental risk in the heavily forested areas close to the Baltic Sea.

"They will dig enormous holes that will spoil our drinking water ... and then leave. People will not make any money on this," said Pertas Kazlauskas, a protester. "We will do everything to keep this monstrous technology away."  MORE