Memo: Commissioner Janez Potočnik welcomes the European Parliament’s vote on the new Environmental Impact Assessment Directive

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik on 9 October 2013 welcomed the outcome of the European Parliament's vote on the Commission's proposal for a revised Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. According to the Commissioner this paves the way for much-needed changes that will modernise the directive, in line with the REFIT agenda, improving its effectiveness and streamlining related administrative processes.

The European Parliament proposed that exploration and hydraulic fracturing extraction activities for non-conventional hydrocarbons should be subject to environmental impact studies, in adopting an amendment to existing EU legislation on the 9 October. MEPs also suggested measures to prevent conflicts of interest and to ensure that the public is informed and consulted.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Commission to streamline rules on environmental impact assessments of projects http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-commission-to-streamline-rules-on-environmental-impact-assessments-of-projects/

European Parliament: Press Release, 09.10.13: Shale gas: new fracking projects must pass environmental test http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131004IPR21541/

ESO: Background information: Shale gas firms face EU methane emissions regulation http://www.europeansources.info/record/shale-gas-firms-face-eu-methane-emissions-regulation/

EUObserver, 09.10.13: MEPs to back mandatory audits for shale exploration http://euobserver.com/environment/121710

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