Exploration of hydrocarbons with fracking

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Adopted on 04/06/2014
Reference
NAT/629-EESC-2014-1320
Opinion Type
Referral
Referral
COM(2014) 23 final
Official Journal
OJ C 424, 26.11.2014, p. 34
Rapporteur
Mr Josef ZBORIL
Employers - GR I
Czech Republic
Co-rapporteur
Mr Sorin IONITA
Civil Society Organisations - GR III
Romania
Plenary session number
499
-
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  • The EESC believes that the Commission's documents (Communication and Recommendations) are based on a realistic view of the subject and that further discussions must be based on facts and findings, but it is also necessary to consider important subjective factors such as the public's perception of risk. The EESC takes a balanced view of the potential role of unconventional hydrocarbons in the EU energy mix.
  • The EESC thinks that this framework, if correctly implemented, is sufficient for use at local community level and that there is no need to adopt a specific "shale gas directive," at least for the time being. The EU "acquis" provides adequate means of finding solutions to the cross-boundary effects of fracking, should they occur. In the future, if such activities increase substantially in volume, the matter could/should be reconsidered.
  • The EESC emphasises as crucial for social fairness and public acceptability of unconventional hydrocarbons that the proceeds from royalties and excise taxes should be shared with the local budgets of the communities concerned in a transparent and predictable manner, in order to compensate them for any negative externalities that might occur.

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