BBC News, 15
July 2013
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Stories
Francois Hollande continues to face pressure to lift the ban on fracking |
The
comments come as a French court was due to examine an appeal against a
government ban on "fracking".
France has
some of the most plentiful reserves of shale gas in Europe, but there are
objections to shale exploration on environmental grounds.
"As
long as I am president, there will be no exploration for shale gas in
France," Mr Hollande told French TV.
France's
top court was this week due to examine a challenge to the ban on fracking - the
process by which shale gas is released - by Schuepbach Energy, which held two
exploration permits that were cancelled when the law was passed in 2011.
Supporters
of drilling for shale gas say it would help boost the ailing French economy,
and they point to the example of the United States where the shale revolution
has led to a fall in gas prices.
French
Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg sparked debate when he suggested creating a
state-backed company to examine exploration for shale.
But he was
promptly overruled by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
And now Mr
Hollande has also re-affirmed the government's position.
"The
debate on shale gas has gone on for too long," he said.
Scheupbach
Energy challenged the ban in the local court of Cergy-Pontoise near Paris,
which forwarded the case to France's highest administrative court, which then
passed it on to the Constitutional Council.
Hydraulic
fracking involves releasing gas trapped in rocks by pumping in water mixed with
sand and chemicals at high pressure.
Critics say
shale gas drilling can poison underground water and even cause earth tremors.
The
technique is used widely in Canada and the US, but has sparked controversy in
Europe, including in the UK where shale gas exploration is planned.
Infographic showing shale gas extraction
Related Articles:
Dutch bank refuses loans to businesses involved in shale gas
Fracking raises risk of contaminated drinking water: study
Related Articles:
Dutch bank refuses loans to businesses involved in shale gas
Fracking raises risk of contaminated drinking water: study
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