36 Amendments of Reinhard BÜTIKOFER related to 2011/2309(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in particular Article 194 thereof, which states that application of its provisions establishing Union measures in the field of energy is, inter alia, without prejudice to the application of the other provisions of the Treaties including in particular Article 192(2),
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
– having regard to the EU environmental legislation relevant to the development of shale gas, including: Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment5 ; Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment6 ; Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from extractive industries7 ; Directive 2000/60 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy8 ; Regulation 1907/2006/EC on the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals9 ; Directive 98/8/EC on the placing of biocidal products on the market10 ; Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances11 ; Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage12; and Directive 2008/110/75/ECU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 concerning 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control13, Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (as amended); and Decision 406/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph - 1 (new)
Paragraph - 1 (new)
1. Urges Member States to pursue a sustainable energy security strategy by diversifying their potential energy sources away from an exclusive reliance on fossil fuels, whether conventional or unconventional, and by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that policy-makers would benefit from more exact data to enable them to make informed choices; agrees, therefore, with the European Council that Europe's potential for sustainable extraction and use of shale gas and oil shale resources without putting the availability and quality of water resources at risk should be assessed and mapped; welcomes the assessments made by Member States and encourages them to continue this work, and asks the Commission to contribute to determining the level of available shale gas reserves in the Union by assembling results from Member States' assessments and available results from exploration projects with a view to analysing and assessing the economic and environmental viability of domestic shale gas production;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls the G20 conclusions on commitment to phase out fossil fuels and related subsidies; stresses that this should also apply to exploration and potential exploitation of shale gas resources;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that consumption of natural gas is currently on the rise ; recognises, therefore, the crucial role of worldwide shale gas production in ensuring energy security and diversity in the longshort and possibly medium 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 with long-term perspectives, such as significantly increase the deployment of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and energy savings, ensuring sufficient gasenergy storage facilities to balance an increasingly renewables-based energy system, diversifying gas supplies and transit routes and building reliable partnerships with supplier, transit and consumer countries;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that a fully-functioning, interconnected and integrated internal EU energy market is also essential, including with a view to taking full advantage of possible shale gas production in the EU; calls on the Commission and the Member States to pursue this objective vigorously, in particular by ensuring a smooth transition toand application of the requirements of the EU third energyinternal energy market package, the timely adoption and application of the proposals contained in the energy infrastructure package, with a view to harmonising European wholesale markets by 2014;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the view that developing shale gas in the EU will help achievemust be consistent with the EU's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, which is the basis of the Energy Roadmap for 2050; recalls that this implies that the power sector must almost completely decarbonise by 2050 (93%- 99%);
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recognises that the climate impact of shale gas compared to coal and other fossil fuels depends on application of Best Available Technology and the use of a 100 year time-frame when accounting for methane emissions;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Urges the Commission to bring forward legislative proposals to make the use of a completion combustion device (aka 'green completions') mandatory for all shale gas wells in the EU to reduce the fugitive methane emissions linked to shale gas and thereby reduce climate impact and air quality problems;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Agrees with the Commission that gas will be critical for the transformation of the energy system, as stated in the above- mentioned Roadmap, since it represents in the short term a quick and cost-efficient way of reducing reliance on other, dirtier fossil fuels, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions; believes that shale gas while developing towards a fully renewables-based power system; believes that gas, including shale gas if sustainably produced, could, as a ‘bridge fuel’, play a critical role in this, particularly in those Member States that currently use large amounts of coal in power generation, provided that concerns about life cycle emissions and environmental impacts are handled sufficiently and possible shale gas exploration would in fact lead to a substitution of more carbon intensive energy generation in those Member States;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Remarks also that certain forms of renewable energy – for example, wind power – are not constantn-dispatchable 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, in the long termbe one of the options available for that purpose among several other solutions such as increased interconnections, better system management and control via smart grids at all network levels, energy storage and demand side management; recognises, however, that gas will, by 2030, be limited to such a back-up and balancing role;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Regards CCS technology to be still immature; holds, therefore, that shale gas strategies cannot rely on unproven assumptions with regard to CCS technology; points out that CCS technology might in the future compete with geothermal energy over the use of caverns;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission, in line with the EU Energy Roadmap 2050 strategy, to evaluate the impact of and prospects for unconventional gas in the EU, whilst recognising that the extent of unconventional gas use in the EU will ultimately be decided by the market and the decisions by Member States acting within the framework of the EU's long- term climate and energy policy objectives; urges therefore the Commission to ensure that the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) properly covers the shale gas activities in the EU;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that the massive increase in US shale gas production has been supported by an established industrial environment, including sufficient numbers of rigs, the necessary manpower and an experienced and well-equipped service industry; notes that, in the EU, it will take time for the necessary service sector to build up adequate capacity and for companies to acquire the necessary equipment and experience to support a high level of sustainable shale gas production, which is also likely to contribute to higher costs in the short term; encourages cooperation between relevant EU and US companies with a view to apply Best Available Technologies while reducing costs; believes that expectations about the pace of shale gas development in the EU should be realistic and that any potential commercial extraction should be gradually phased and paced in order to avoid the boom-and-bust economic cycles with significant adverse local impacts, as seen in regions with unconventional fossil fuel extraction such as Alberta and North Dakota;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Insists on the need for transparent corporate governance of fossil fuel extraction companies, including shale gas, in the light of recent scandals of financial fraud in the US; highlights in this regard previous calls in the European Parliaments resolution on "EU action on oil exploration and extraction in Europe", to introduce a rigorous and mandatory framework for company disclosure regarding environmental, social and governance practices, and to consider measures to enhance the engagement of institutional investors with companies regarding the investment risks of poor practices;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Recalls the G20 commitment to phase out fossil fuels and related subsidies; remarks therefore that exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels sources, whether conventional or unconventional, must not be subsidised;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to evaluate the possible long-term economic benefits of developing shale gas, including employment opportunities; and local benefits, compared to development of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency measures;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Urges the Commission and Member States – in times of economic crisis and rising unemployment – to take the employment figures (e.g. in terms of full- time equivalent jobs created per TWh) of various energy sources and possible energy efficiency and saving measures into account in their investment decisions on their future energy mix;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the EU's energy and climate policy needs to recognise and tackle the posend consistential investment barriers to shale gas development in the EUsignals to the industry;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for further industry-financed research and development into tools and technologies, including CCS, to support and enhance the sustainable and safe development of unconventional gaschemical-free fracking, in order to explore future possibilities for a more sustainable and safe development of unconventional gas, in so far as an adequate legal framework will be put in place;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Notes the technological developments in Austria, where the industry is proposing the use of fracking fluids containing only water, sand and cornstarch; recommends that other Member States and the Commission examine the possibility of extracting shale gas without the use of chemicals, and calls for further research and development into such techniques and/or practices that would mitigate potential impacts on the environment;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Member States to ensure they put in place the necessary administrative and monitoring resources for the development of shale gas activities, including those required by EU environmental and climate protection laws;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the current licensing procedure for shale gas exploration is regulated by general mining or hydrocarbon legislation; expresses the view that the regulatory framework in the EU for early exploration is adequateis not adapted to accommodate possible large-scale extraction of shale gas and that a throughout revision is needed in order to cover all the specificities of unconventional fossil fuel extraction in the EU;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of fully consulting the public, particularly in the context of the introduction of a new approach in gas exploration; points out that, in certain Member States, there is a lack of public consultation in the authorisation phase; calls on the Member States to evaluate their legislation to see whether proper account is taken of this aspect, including the full application of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention and the corresponding provisions in Union law;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Expresses the view that those Member States undertakconsidering shale gas projects should adopt a one-stop-shop approach to authorisation and licensing and themust ensure a thorough examination of compliance with safety and environmental regulations, whisuch ias the usualmandatory environmental impact assessments and full disclosure of chemicals, which is best practice in certain Member States for all energy projects;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on publicthe Commission and Member States' authorities without delay to check and, if necessary, improve regulatory frameworks in order to ensure their adequacy for shale gas projects, especially with a view to being prepared for possible future commercial-scale production in Europe;
Amendment 172 #
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 portimprovements of the generals providing access to a wide range of public information onublic's possibility to be informed about and influence shale gas operinformations; urges companies considering extractingon of 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 fracturing;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Believes that the best way for a meaningful and timely engagement of local communities is through a mandatory environmental impact assessment, high level of transparency and public consultation on proposed shale gas projects, regardless of project duration and scale;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that, by developing better technologies and practices based on robust regulations, operators and service industries will not only improve public acceptance of shale gas projects but also gain business opportunities and improve export opportunities, given the worldwide environmental challenges of unconventional gas exploration; urges therefore Member States to refrain from commercial extraction of shale gas, at least until the International Energy Agency (IEA) has finalised its work of a comprehensive review of Best Available Technologies (BAT) and published recommendations on hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development, and until the EU regulatory framework has been fully adapted;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Highlights the need for minimum safety standards and inspections at safety- critical stages of well construction and hydraulic fracturing; stresses, in particular, that operators should reduce flaring and venting and should, where possible, recover gas; calls on the EU to follow the US lead in shale gas environmental regulations by setting clean air standards for fracking that require companies to capture methane and other pollutant gas emissions, as introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Urges theCalls for exchange of best practices and information between the EU and the US; in particular, encourages the pairing of European and US cities and municipalities which have discovered shale gas; stresses the importance of the transfer of knowledge about shale gas development from industry to local communitiesurges the Member States to implement the US EPA air quality standards until a corresponding EU regulatory framework is in place;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Recommends Member States to draw lessons from the Norwegian royalty regime for oil and gas, which taxes inter alia the energy producers' profit and deposits 100 per cent of its oil and gas revenues into its sovereign wealth fund in order for the local populations to benefit from the extraction of their natural resources;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recalls that the ‘polluter pays’ principle wouldin Article 191 of the Treaty applies shall apply to all shale gas operations and that companies would bemust be strictly liable for any damage they might cause; urges the Commission to bring forward proposals to include hydraulic fracturing and other activities related to shale gas extraction under Annex III to the Environmental Liability Directive, and to oblige shale gas operators to provide compulsory financial security or insurance requirements in case of any environmental damage linked to their activities in order to provide legal certainty for the populations concerned;