10 Amendments of Lambert van NISTELROOIJ related to 2011/2309(INI)
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the shale gas boom in the USA has already had a significant positive impact on the dynamics of the natural gas market and on gas and electricity prices, in particular by causing liquefied natural gas that was intended for the US market to be redirected elsewhere; observes that the US spot prices have become historically low, thus widening price gap between US and Europe bound by long-term contracts, and having an impact on competitiveness of European economies and industry;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that consumption of natural gas is on the rise; recognises, therefore, the crucial role of worldwide shale gas production in ensuring energy security and diversity in the long term, including in Europe; is aware that domestic production of shale gas will contribute to security of supply, bearing in mind Member States' dependence on natural gas imports from third countries; stresses, however, that it is crucial to adopt other security-of-supply measures and policies, such as improving energy efficiency, ensuring sufficient gas storage facilities, diversifying gas supplies and transit routes and building reliable partnerships with supplier, transit and consumer countries; notes that natural gas from shales offers an opportunity for some Member States to further diversify their natural gas supply sources; recognises that as a result of the growth of production of natural gas from shales in the US, more LNG supplies are now available for Europe and that a combination of increased domestic supply of natural gas and greater LNG availability provides attractive options for gas supply diversity;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Remarks also that certain forms of renewable energy – for example, wind power – are not constant and need to be backed up by a reliable and flexible energy source; expresses the view that natural gas – including shale gas – could serve that purpose; recognises, however, that without carbon capture and storage (CCS), gas may, the importance of CCS in ensuring the long -term, be limited to such a sustainability of gas as an energy source, including in its back-up and balancing role;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. CRecognizes the role shale gas and oil might play in improving the economic and financial situation in Europe, stimulating job creation as well as improving competitiveness and innovation in Europe; calls on the Commission to evaluate the possible economic and industrial benefits of shale gas, including and oil, in particular in terms of employment opportunities;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Points out that exploration of shale gas and oil potential is not unique to Europe and there is a vast interest in developing new oil and gas resources as a mean to improve energy and economic competitiveness in various countries and regions including in Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa and Australia; underlines the need to include shale gas and oil in bilateral EU dialogue and partnerships with countries already developing unconventional resources or interested in their development and/or use, in order to exchange expertise and best practices;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Recognises the wider role that technology and innovation in the gas sector can contribute to the EU skills base, job creation, and industrial competitiveness;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Is well aware that public attitudes to shale gas development vary between the Member States; calls for better public information relating to shale gas operations and supports the creation of portals providing access to a wide range of public information on shale gas operations; urges comparecognizes extracting shale gas in the EU to provide, prior to drilling, full information on their activities, including public disclosure of the chemicals they intend to use in hydraulic fracturingthat it is important for industry and authorities to establish a dialogue and to cooperate to address public concerns, through the open sharing of information and knowledge; acknowledges that chemical substances are already registered and approved under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation, and supports the disclosure of the contents of fracturing fluids to the public (for example, an initiative such as "Frac Focus" specifically for EU citizens);
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that it is particularly important for EU shale gas operators to engage and build strong relationships with local communities at every stage of their operations, given that the EU has a higher population density than the USA and landowners in Europe do not own underground resources and so do not benefit directly from extraction, as in the USA; calls on shale gas companies tothe industry acknowledges that the development of shale gas entails a temporary disturbance to communities and individuals, in particular during high activity levels, which normally last two to three months per well during the initial site preparation and well construction (drilling and completion) phase of the development; therefore calls on shale gas companies to establish responsible community practices and ensure local communities benefit from shale gas development;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses the importance of applying the best available technologies and the best operational practices in shale gas production and of continuously improving technologies and practices; welcomes initiatives by IEA and associations of oil and gas producers in defining best practices in shale gas and oil exploration and production;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. RNotes that shale gas and shale oil extraction is governed by the same principles as apply to other types of extraction such as of coal, conventional gas and oil, of water and geothermal energy, and to underground activities such as injection of CO2 for gas and oil recovery, storage of gas and oil reserves and storage of CO2 for CCS purposes; recalls that the ‘polluter pays’ principle would apply to shale gas and oil operations and that companies would be liable for any damage they might cause;