The Ban Is Spreading

Map showing distribution of natural gas in Europe and different countries position on extraction.  Source.

This map shows the distribution of known shale gas reserves across Europe as well as the countries position on the topic. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) France and Poland have the greatest potential for recoverable shale gas in Europe.   However, France is one of the 5 counties that have banned all fracking activity. The ban was put forward in 2011, President Sarkozy said it would remain forbidden until it is proven that it will not be harmful to the environment. Bulgaria followed this act in 2012 after a nationwide protest against Chevron coming in to evaluate the countries natural gas potential. Other countries that have banned fracking are the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic.

Fracking is allowed in the UK despite it being banned for over a year after the earthquake caused by a fracking site near Blackpool in 2011. It is being rapidly advanced since the government gave energy companies permission to explore for viable gas reserves but Scotland recently voted on a moratorium in January 2015 to allow full public consultation on the controversial technique.  Many see this as just killing time while they build up more evidence of health and environmental impacts before an outright ban can be put in place.

These acts against fracking are not restricted to Europe. In May 2012 the state of Vermont, USA became the first state to outlaw hydraulic fracturing and New York State (which unlike Vermont has significant gas reserves) followed and banned the practice in December 2014. Maryland also announced this year that it will be banning fracking until 2017 and many counties within different states have independently banned the activity.

In recent years bans on hydraulic fracturing are becoming a lot more common and many are due to public pressures. This proves that the general public can make a difference and your opinion matters, you just have to fight until it is heard.