Lower house committee backs opponents of shale gas mining

Prague, Oct 2 (CTK) - The petition committee of the Czech Chamber of Deputies yesterday said it does not consider the start of shale gas prospecting or extraction in the country suitable in view of their environmental impact, and it asked the Environment Ministry to take steps halting all activities in this respect.

The committee passed the resolution within a public hearing on a petition against shale gas extraction that has been signed by 31,000 people so far.

The prospecting and possible extraction has been opposed by environmentalists, regional governors, town halls and inhabitants of the localities where shale gas deposits are supposed to be.

Several dozen people attended the public hearing in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, yesterday.

Deputy industry and trade minister Pavel Solc assured them that shale gas prospecting or mining is no strategic interest of the Czech Republic.

The committee took note of the ministry's statement that its draft energy policy concept and raw material policy do not reckon with the prospecting, extraction or use of shale gas.

Environment Minister Tomas Chalupa (Civic Democrats, ODS) previously said he will propose to the government that shale gas prospecting be banned until mid-2014. By then the relevant legislation should be adjusted to set clear rules for the use of the prospecting technologies.

The critics say this is not enough. Moreover, the Senate, dominated by the left-wing opposition, has prepared a bill banning shale gas extraction. The Senate is to discuss the bill after the Senate and regional elections scheduled for mid-October.

According to available information, three companies have shown interest in shale gas prospecting in the Czech Republic.