European Voice: The rise of the play-maker?

The European Parliament could play a useful role in Europe's debate about shale gas.

The European Parliament is once again bringing shale gas into the limelight. In recent weeks and months, the Parliament's committee on environment, public health and food safety (ENVI) has debated a draft report on the environmental impact of shale-gas extraction, arguing against introducing additional EU-wide regulations. Shale gas is also on the agenda of ITRE, the industry, research and energy committee. It is focusing on energy security and the sustainable supply of natural gas, as well as the industrial aspects of exploration and production. 

Finally, a group of MEPs hailing from four key political groups and three different EU member states has just launched a new, non-partisan initiative – the roundtable on shale gas – intended to further streamline the ongoing debates over shale gas.  MORE