Romania: Debating Pros and Cons of Shale Gas
The Foundation for the Protection of the Citizens against Abuse of the State (FACIAS), one of Romania's strongest non-governmental organizations, recently held an important public debate related to the issue of shale gas exploitation at The Human Rights Hall in the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest.
Politicians as well as academics, geologists and engineers, joined with representatives of nongovernmental organizations opposed to shale gas exploitation.
Those attending from the political arena included PSD Barlad deputy Adrian Solomon, PP-DD Barlad deputy Tudor Ciuhodaru and PSD Barlad senator Gabriela Cretu. Shale gas opponents included “Romania without them” represented by Mariana Stefan and the Vira Association founded by citizens of Barlad. The Initiative Group of the Civil Society Barlat – who were not invited but participated as the debate was public – were represented by General (retired) Neculai Rotaru with his wife Maricica Rotaru, cleric Vasile Laiu and engineer Ovidiu Tiron
Among the subjects debated were: the technical means to exploit shale gas, the advantages and disadvantages of such a project, the effects on the environment and the economic efficiency.
The participants unanimously agreed that the shale gas exploitation must be seen from three points of view: environment protection, energy independence and, strictly from an economic perspective.
While the debate initially proceeded in an orderly manner with each participant presenting their respective point of view, proceedings became more animated as pro-exploitation lobbyists clashed with shale gas opponents.
The debate was presented with images from shale gas exploration sites in USA and reports of harmful effects to people, as well as expert studies regarding the legislative regulations related to this issue.
Deputy George Scutaru, vice-president of the Defense, Public Order and National Security Committee mentioned that Romania is in an area of convergence of political, economic and geostrategic interests. Even in this context, Scutaru said Romania must find alternate sources to produce energy as, in around 10 – 15 years the Romanian oil and gas deposits will be drained.
The amongst the disadvantages of such exploitations presented in the debate was the removal of the agricultural circuit of around 480.000 hectares (the Barlad area is mainly agricultural), taking into account that after completing the exploitation these areas cannot be reused in agriculture for a very long time. Fears were also voiced over water supply. Few villages have access to piped water, with majority of villages the people relying upon wells. A possible contamination of the underground waters could lead to disaster.
At the same time benefits to shale gas development discussed including ensuring new jobs for the people in the area and a possible alternative energy source.
Economic analyst Ilie Serbanescu stated that according to the agreements that had been concluded, Romanians will not have access to their own shale gas and in the end, will pay a rate for gases extracted from Romanian soil, equivalent to the price of Russian gas.
Professor Afrodita Iorgulescu said in her speech that the concession license agreements between the State and Chevron Corp. were illegal because they are based on the oil law, this agreements containing, illegally, provisions about non-conventional gas, such as shale gas. Remus Cernea, USL deputy, said that he supports the law to forbid shale gas exploitation, even if the is a member of USL.
The conclusions of the debate were stated by Doctor Tudor Ciuhodaru, PP-DD Barlad deputy, the president of this party for Vaslui County and vice-leader of the party’s parliamentary group. Ciuhodaru stated that without an extensive impact study no decision can be made related to shale gas exploitation in Romania, regardless of the political party governing Romania at that time.
With respect to the energy independence a topic present in the debates of a large part of the political class, there are still issues to be clarified.
Silviu Molnar