Status: 30.10.2022 09:09 am
Germany has large gas deposits, but mainly in deep rock strata. In order to promote this, the controversial fracking would have to be used. Finance Minister Lindner reiterated his call for the ban on the funding method to be lifted.
Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner is pushing for rapid entry into the production of domestic shale gas using fracking. “We have significant gas deposits in Germany that can be extracted without endangering drinking water,” said the FDP chairman to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The funding is “responsible even under ecological conditions,” explained Lindner accordingly. “It would be rather irresponsible to refrain from fracking because of ideological commitments.” The background to the demand is the energy crisis as a result of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. In order to ensure security of supply, the FDP had already pushed for an extension of the operating times for nuclear power plants and had repeatedly called for fracking.
“Meet large demand from domestic gas sources”
Environmentally friendly fracking is possible “at several locations in Germany”, emphasized the Federal Minister of Finance. “We have to move quickly to production. I am confident that in a few years we will be able to cover a relatively large demand from domestic gas sources. It is advisable to do this when you look at the development in the world.”
Hydraulic fracturing – fracking for short – is a process to extract oil and gas from deep layers of rock with the help of pressure and chemicals. Conventional fracking takes place primarily in sandstone, while unconventional fracking takes place in rock strata that are difficult to develop, such as shale or coal seam rock.
Significant environmental concerns
However, the consequences for the environment and nature range from high water consumption and groundwater pollution to earthquakes, which is why the technology is heavily criticized. Due to the sometimes significant impact on the environment, many European countries put their fracking plans on hold a few years ago. Fracking from unconventional deposits has been banned in Germany, France, Denmark, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. In Great Britain, on the other hand, the fracking moratorium was lifted.
As a result of the energy crisis, calls from business and political parties to allow the controversial funding method in Germany are getting louder. In addition to the FDP, several Union politicians and AfD representatives have already spoken out in favor of lifting the fracking ban.