Shale gas could play role in EU energy policy if risks minimized:
Potocnik
London (Platts)--14May2013/909 am EDT/1309 GMT
Shale gas could play a role in the EU's future energy policy but only if
the health and environmental risks are addressed and minimized, EU
environment commissioner Janez Potocnik said Tuesday in a speech at the
European Economic Congress in Poland.
"The main challenges that have been pointed to concern notably water
use, water pollution, air emissions and the management of waste water.
To reassure the public, all of these risks should be prevented, managed
and reduced," Potocnik said in his speech, which was posted online.
Potocnik said he is neither for nor against shale gas, but added that it
could help the EU meet its long-term energy goals if the risks are
properly mitigated.
Potocnik said the European Commission is working on legislation to
provide clear rules regarding the exploration and exploitation of shale
gas within the EU, but didn't give any specific timeframe.
His spokesman, Joe Hennon, said Tuesday that it isn't immediately
clear when the proposal will be published, but added that it is a
priority.
"We are committed to doing it by the end of the year," Hennon said.
--Kimberly Peterson,
kimberly.peterson@platts.com
--Edited by James Leech,
james.leech@platts.com
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