Economic affairs minister is not giving up on shale gas
Economic affairs minister Henk Kamp is pressing ahead with research into the opportunities for shale gas extraction in the Netherlands, despite a no vote from coalition partner Labour.
Speaking after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Kamp said he would wait until the report is published and presented to parliament before debating the issue.The report is due in July.
‘Then I will be curious about the Labour party’s stand,’ Kamp said. Labour said originally it would back shale gas extraction if it could be done safely and cleanly. However, that position was overturned at the PvdA congress earlier this month.
A deal on shale gas was not included in the coalition agreement.
Applications
A British company has plans to carry out test exploration in three locations in the Netherlands: in the Noordoostpolder, near Boxtel and near Haaren.
Shale gas is ordinary natural gas that has been trapped in dense shale beds. It is extracted using a controversial process known as fracking, which involves drilling a hole deep into the shale and pumping in water mixed with sand and chemicals
Earlier stories
Labour will not back shale gas extraction following congress vote
Ruling parties support shale gas extraction, if done cleanly
Shale gas production marginal, says minister as opposition mounts
Opponents are winning the shale gas war
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