Shale Gas Rises Higher on French Political Agenda

The shale gas debate in France grows as prominent political figures join the discussion on Friday. The issue became more visible on the national agenda in the last week.

On Thursday, a report by a French parliamentary commission argued in favour of a relaxation of the ban on hydraulic fracturing, stating that shale gas could create 100,000 jobs and increase the competitiveness of the country.

Jean-Paul Chanteguet, President of the Commission for Sustainable Development of the National Assembly, strongly criticized the report on Friday, claiming that it does not provide any new evidence.

"The American Experience shows that once the well established, it takes less of a person to do function,” said Chanteguet.

Similarly, French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy Delphine Batho has rejected on Wednesday any relaxation of the ban on hydraulic fracturing, referring to the environmental risks like induced seismicity and pollution of groundwater.