Shale gas, Italy answers to EC Recommendation: we are not issuing any licence

The Italian Economic Development Ministry after the measures adopted by the EC to ensure that proper environmental and climate safeguards are in place for ‘fracking’: we have nothing to communicate to Brussels

Few and peremptory lines to answer the European Commission about her requests on more information about the national legislation on ‘fracking’. This is the answer gave by the Italian Economic Development Ministry to the Recommendation adopted yesterday by the European Commission. The Recommendation invites Member States to inform the Commission about measures that they have put in place to evaluate possible risks before issuing licences for ‘fracking’, to assess environmental impact and risks before issuing any licence of shale gas extraction. The Commission will monitor the application of the Recommendation and will review the effectiveness of this approach in 18 months. If Member States fail to comply with this Recommendation, the Commission will decide whether it is necessary to put forward legislative proposals with legally binding provisions.

The ministerial note read, “Concerning the Communication and the Recommendation issued on 22 January 2014 by the European Commission, Italy informs the Commission that in March 2013 we adopted a National Energy Strategy (NES) which do not include the possibility of issuing licences for shale gas research and exploitation.” Italy has nothing to say on the matter, hence nothing to communicate to Brussels. Period.

 R.G.