The Basque Parliament has approved a new law which critics believe makes fracking more complicated in the region.

Under the new legislation, fracking is banned in regions where any type of construction is prohibited and also in areas close to water.

For fracking in other areas, the Basque Parliament stated: “Permissions to frack will not be given if an environmental evaluation process is not completed.”

The decision is the result of a ‘Popular Legislative Initiative’ (ILP) signed by more than 100,000 locals.

Mikel Otero, spokesperson of the Basque anti-fracking group Fracking EZ said: “This [law] is a serious obstacle to fracking in our territories. We started from a point where the door was open wide to this technology. Now, although the door is not absolutely closed, we are in a much stronger position today than we were yesterday to prevent this from ever happening in the Basque Country.

“The Basque Government should also stop actions planned outside the Basque Country. The slogan that guides the movement is ‘Not Here or Anywhere’ and it makes no sense to only stop fracking here when it is also taking place just a few kilometers from the Araba region.”

The new law follows the decision of Lancashire County Council to reject Cuadrilla‘s plans to frack in the area.

Source: www.energylivenews.com

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