According to a report from the Wall Street Journal: "Britain scored a victory Wednesday, when the European Commission shied away from earlier plans to put forward legislation on the exploration of shale gas.
The European Union's executive issued only guidelines for the technology after strong pressure from Britain and Poland, which are keen to forge ahead with the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' used to tap shale gas reserves''.
''The commission said it was responding to calls for "minimum principles…to address environmental and health concerns and give operators and investors the predictability they need," said the EU's environment chief, Janez Potocnik.
Britain and Poland are keen to tap into potential shale gas reserves after seeing the U.S. become the world's largest gas producer from its reserves. But public opinion in Europe is largely set against the technique, amid concerns over its impact on the quality of water, soil and air. France has put in place a moratorium on shale gas''.
The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, which represents the world's largest oil and gas companies, welcomed the lack of legislation, saying enough safeguards were already in place.
"Shale gas can be developed in Europe respecting the environment within the current legislation," said Roland Festor, OGP's EU affairs director.
