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national / environment / press release Monday October 07, 2013 23:52 by p mc c
The amount of methane released into the atmosphere during shale gas drills is disputed, with one new industry-funded report suggesting it could be less than previously thought.
But asked whether there should be mandatory testing for methane leaks at European shale drills, Jos Delbeke, the director of the European Commission’s climate department told EurActiv: “We must know what the methane emissions are going to be.” “Either the companies are going to put it on the table or a regulation is going to come at the European level,” he added. “I leave that open.” Delbeke was speaking on 3 October at a presentation for a new methane emissions report by Dr David Allen, organised by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) in Brussels. Methane is a greenhouse gas at least 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a shorter 100-year period. Scientists believe that it could be particularly dangerous trigger for global warming feedback loops. The issue of how to regulate it could be crucial, as Brussels weighs the wisdom of a legislative package for shale gas, ahead of an announcement planned for this December. The EU executive could decide on a standalone instrument such as a new directive, amendments to existing legislation, or ‘soft guidance’ to industry in the form of voluntary obligations. As a taster of what lies ahead, the European parliament will next week vote on forcing shale gas firms to undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before drills can begin. read full story / add a comment |
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