Protests against shale gas exploration

Protests against shale gas exploration in Pungesti, eastern Romania, were resumed in the past days, following Chevrons decision to resume operations in the area. They had been suspended in mid October because of similar protests. Support rallies were hel

România Internațional, 09.12.2013, 12:20

After a few weeks’ break, locals in the commune of Pungesti, eastern Romania, on Saturday resumed protests against the exploration and exploitation of shale gas in the area. Meetings of solidarity were held both in Bucharest and other cities across the country. People decided to protest following the decision made public by the US Company Chevron to resume exploration operations, which had been halted on October 17th, following similar protests staged by both locals and green militants.

Back than the locals blocked the Vaslui-Garceni county road to prevent company employees from installing the gas well and called Pungesti “a resistance camp”. Those who oppose the project in Pungesti are actually against the extraction of shale gas using the hydraulic fracking technique, which, some say, is very likely to pollute underground waters and trigger earthquakes.

The US Company Chevron has filed a complaint with the Police, as on Saturday protesters destroyed the fence surrounding the land owned by Chevron in Pungesti and also part of the equipment. In a public communiqué the company states that people have the right to express their opinions, but this should be done by observing the law.

Following these incidents, the police have announced that the area of 20 thousand square meters leased to Chevron in Pungesti was declared a “special security area”. The number of police staff guarding the place has been increased, vehicles passing by are carefully checked and people are asked to present their IDs.

On the other hand, the US Company has again stated it will only carry out exploration operations using conventional technologies, in keeping with the licenses granted by Romanian authorities this year. Prime Minister Victor Ponta has stated that the protests in Pungesti have not changed his mind. According to the Prime Minister Romania must earn its energy independence, even if this runs counter to some people’s interests. Specialized studies have shown that, once extracted, the shale gas owned by Romania might ensure its energy independence for a hundred years.