13 Amendments of Vladko Todorov PANAYOTOV related to 2011/2309(INI)
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that various estimates of shale gas resources in Europe have been made, including by the US Energy Information Administration; recognises that, although these estimates are, by their very nature, imprecise, they point to the existence of a largconsiderable indigenous energy resource, not all of which might be economically viable to extract; notes that most of Europe's oil shale reserves are concentrated in Estonia and that other sources of unconventional oil have yet to be explored in Europe on a wider scale;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Urges Member States to pursue an energy security strategy aimed at diversifying their potential energy sources away from an exclusive reliance on fossil fuels, whether conventional or unconventional, and at promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that consumption of natural gas is currently on the rise; recognises, therefore, the crucialimportant role of worldwide shale gas production in ensuring energy security and diversity in the longshort to 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 long-term security- of-supply measures and policies, such as improving energy efficiency, ensuring and reducing energy use, increasing significantly the uptake of renewable energy sources, putting in place sufficient gas storage facilitieand balancing capabilities for renewable energy and gas, diversifying gas supplies and transit routes and building reliable partnerships with supplier, transit and consumer countries;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the view that developing shale gas in the EU willmay in the short to medium term help achieve 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;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Agrees with the Commission that gas will be critsignificalnt for the transformation of the energy system, as stated in the above- mentioned Roadmap, since it represents a quick, temporary and cost- efficient way of reducing reliance on other, dirtier fossil fuels before moving to fully sustainable low-carbon power generation, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions; believes that shale gas 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;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Given the lack of comprehensive European data on the carbon footprint of shale gas, calls on the Joint Research Centre of the Commission to swiftly finalise its full life-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas extraction and production with view to correctly accounting for them in the future;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Given that fugitive methane emissions will grow considerably with increased shale gas exploration and production activities in the EU, and that these emissions are currently not accounted for in the Union's flagship climate policy, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), calls on the Commission when adjusting Directive 2003/87/EC to take into account fugitive methane emissions and the impact they will have on overall EU greenhouse gas emissions;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Remarks also that certain forms of renewable energy – for example, wind power – are not constantvariable and need to be backed up or balanced by a reliable and flexible energy sourcetechnologies; expresses the view that natural gas – including shale gas – could serve that purposebe one of the options to serve that purpose together with better interconnection, energy storage and demand management; recognises, however, that without carbon capture and storage (CCS), gas may, in the long term, be limited to such a back-up and balancing rolemay not be deployed in view of EU's 2050 decarbonisation targets;
Amendment 100 #
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 shale gas production with its related environmental protection, 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 reducing costs; believes that expectations about the pace of shale gas development in the EU should be realistic;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Member States interested in developing shale gas to carefully examine their current legislation and introduce the necessary safeguards to ensure that a robust framework for safe and sustainable shale gas exploration and production is in place before any operations can begin; to put in place stringent requirements for industry to only use best available technology (BAT) with regard to well integrity and casing, water treatment, methane capture, etc; and to introduce the necessary skills required into their mainstream education and training systems, in order to prepare the necessary skilled labour force;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of transparency and 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;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Emphasises the importance of transparent corporate governance of oil and gas companies involved in shale gas and oil shale activity;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Urges the exchange of best practices and information between the EU, the US and othe USr countries; in particular, encourages the pairing of European, US and USother cities and municipalities which have discovered shale gas; stresses the importance of the transfer of knowledge about shale gas development from industry to local communities;