Proposed German fracking law unveiled

A German government proposal to allow limited and conditional shale gas fracking has been welcomed by the energy industry, but has created unease among environmental groups who fear it may signal a return to fossil fuels. Environmental activists suggest the proposed fracking law may violate the spirit of Germany’s green energy policy – the Energiewende, reports Alan Osborn.

The proposed draft law would allow commercial shale gas fracking at depths of over 3,000 metres and possibly at shallower levels for exploratory purposes if a new six-person expert panel recommends it. The plan will be put to the German parliament (where major changes are expected to be debated) later this year. As currently drafted, the proposed law would see fracking launched in Germany by 2019.

The Association of German Oil and Gas Producers (WEG – Wirtschaftsverband Erdöl und Erdgasgewinnung) welcomed the prospect of gas fracking and ‘a reliable legal framework to facilitate investment and allow for continued environmentally responsible natural gas production’. The association noted that no fracking approvals had been granted since 2012 and German natural gas production was in sharp decline.

However, the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW – Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft), which represents 1,800 utilities, energy and water companies, was cautious. ‘In consultations (with the government) we said that it should be possible to have pilot projects for fracking in Germany,’ said Frank Brachvogel, BDEW spokesperson. ‘But rule number one is to protect ground water, drinking water. That should be possible with pilot projects,’ he told Petroleum Review.

The German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE – Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie) expressed opposition to the proposed fracking law, saying it would increase the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere, thereby increasing global warming, and because it exploited a one-off fossil fuel it would make no contribution to security of energy supply. Clearly only renewable energy and increased energy efficiency could achieve this, said a BEE spokesperson.