13 Amendments of Ioannis A. TSOUKALAS related to 2011/2309(INI)
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that policy-makers wshould benefit from more exact datahave at their disposal more accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive scientific data with regard to the benefits and risks of shale gas 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 oil resources 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 and shale oil 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 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is of the view that the Commission and the Member States should give priority over shale gas and shale oil to the development and exploitation of conventional domestic EU gas and oil supplies, like those recently discovered in the south-east Mediterranean basin, since their exploitation is easier, cheaper and poses significantly fewer environmental risks;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that consumption of natural gas is on the rise; recognises, therefore, the crucialimportant role ofthat worldwide shale gas production could play in ensuring energy security and diversity of supplies and routes in the long term, including in Europe; is aware that domestic production of shale gas willcould 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, promoting renewable energy sources, ensuring sufficient gas and LNG storage facilities, diversifying gas supplies and transit routes and building reliable partnerships with supplier, transit and consumer countries;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the view that developing shale gas in the EU willcould 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 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Remarks also that certain forms ofthat the intermittent nature of some renewable energy – for example, wind power – are not constant andms creates the need to befor backed -up by a reliable and flexible energy sources; expresses the view that natural gas – includingand shale gas – could serve that purpose; recognises, however, that without carbon capture and storage (CCS), gas may, in the long term, be limited to such a back-up and balancing role;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to assign to the European Environment Agency (EEA) the preparation of a full-scale scientific environmental analysis of shale gas and shale oil exploitation and the potential impact of available techniques;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the importance of supporting the development of the shale gas industry by establishing the necessary infrastructure, particularly in terms of pipelines and road, provided that financial and social sustainability of the shale gas exploitation projects;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to evaluateassess the possible economic benefits of shale gas, including employment opportunities as well as the potential environmental and health-related costs;
Amendment 150 #
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 thecalls for a detailed assessment of the adequacy of the existing EU regulatory framework in the EU for early exploration is adequate;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission and public authorities without delay to check and, if necessary, improve regulatory frameworks in order to ensure their adequacy for shale gas and shale oil projects, especially with a view to being prepared for possible future commercial-scale production in Europe;
Amendment 176 #
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 companies extracting shale gas in the EU to provide, prior to drilling, full information on their activities, including full public disclosure of the chemicals they intend to use in hydraulic fracturing in full accordance with the REACH regulation;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses the importance of applying the highest safety standards, the best available technologies and the best operational practices in shale gas production and of continuously improving technologies and practices and minimizing adverse effects; in this respect stresses the importance of significant R&D investments on behalf of the industry;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recalls that the ‘polluter pays’ principle would apply to shale gas and shale oil operations and that companies would be liable for any damage they might cause;