Press Releases: Fracking Europe

Press Release: MEPs call for stricter environmental standards for fracking in Europe, but fall short of endorsing a moratorium. Food & Water Europe commends the 262 MEPs, who supported the moratorium.

Shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane have arrived in Europe under the banner of energy security, and more worryingly, environmental protection. However, the reality is that shale gas and the process of hydraulic fracturing (or ‘fracking’) represent a dangerous experiment on both the health of European citizens and the environment, while the economic viability is debateable.

Joint Statement: We, a coalition of environment and health NGOs, have grave concerns about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane (CBM) in Europe.

Press Release: Brussels, April 24, 2012 – A coalition of environmental and health NGOs warned the European Parliament today that hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane represent an dangerous experiment on the environment and human health.

Press Statement: Brussels – “Food & Water Europe is deeply alarmed by MEP Boguslaw Sonik’s draft report on the environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction. Mr. Sonik papers over the genuine risks that fracking poses to our water, our climate and our quality of life. Doing so serves the corporate agenda of fossil fuel companies, not the general interest of European citizens. We urge MEPs to vote against this report in its current form.”

This week, Food & Water Europe executive director Wenonah Hauter led a delegation from Poland, the UK and Belgium meeting with MEPs about the major risks involved in using hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – to extract shale gas. The aim of the visit to Brussels was to inform the political debate within the EU about the negative American experiences with fracking, both in terms of the disastrous environmental record of the shale gas industry as well as the exaggerated claims about its economic benefits. Food & Water Europe hopes these conversations will contribute to the two own-initiative reports on shale gas that are currently being prepared in the European Parliament.