Environment minister proposes moratorium on shale gas exploration

Environment Minister Tomáš Chalupa has proposed a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the Czech Republic until the end of June, 2014. Mr Chalupa told reporters on Monday the moratorium should give lawmakers enough time to pass new legislation introducing rules for the use of exploration technologies. The Environment Ministry is planning to complete an analysis of the impact of shale gas exploration by the end of 2014 before respective legislation is put to vote in Parliament. Mr Chalupa’s proposal will now be discussed by the government. No shale gas deposits have been discovered in the country so far but plans to launch exploration came under criticism from NGOs, local politicians and inhabitants of the areas that could be affected by these activities.