UPI: Ireland weighs low-carbon, shale future
The Irish government is comparing notes with European counterparts on the potential of shale natural gas reserves, Irish Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte said.
The International Energy Agency said unconventional reserves may account for 40 percent of gas demand and 14 percent of oil demand by 2035. Ireland imports all of its oil and relies in foreign sources for 90 percent of its natural gas needs.
Rabbitte told an informal meeting of European ministers in Dublin that Ireland was watching the U.S. shale natural gas boom and comparing notes with EU officials on efforts to match the U.S. success.