Romania: Governmental Authorities Battle Each Other Over Shale Gas
In October, the Pungesti Local Council banned shale gas exploration and exploitation within the perimisters of in village area.
The decision of the Pungesti Local Council was sent to the Vaslui Prefecture, the county (Vaslui) under which Pungesti is administered, for approval.
Vaslui Prefecture sent the law back to Pungesti to be revoked, which did not occur. Subsequently, Vaslui Prefecture appealed to the courts to cancel the decision of the Local Council, on grounds that the local authorities cannot decide on matters related to underground resource exploitation as they are in the property of the Romanian state.
The action was fully expected and a continuation on the battle between local villages and the regional authorities. In July, Vaslui Prefecture sued 11 local councils from the County which has issued decisions to ban shale gas exploration and exploitation.
To date, nine local councils have lost in court, two cases are still being judged, having hearing terms this month.
“As it was the case with another 11 local councils which were sued on the same grounds, Vaslui Prefecture has asked Pungesti local councilors to withdraw their decision because it is illegal and against the constitution. Pungesti Local Council did not take into account our recommendation and, because they did not revoke their decision to forbid shale gas exploration and exploitation, we sued them at Vaslui Court House and the court will decide this case” said Maria Costea. for Mediafax on Thursday, the spokesman for Vaslui Prefecture,
George Epurescu from "Romania without Them" commented: “It is an expected step of the Prefecture. They are trying to clear the way of legal “obstacles” for private companies, damaging the community interest. The future and life are sold for a group interest, a criminal interest. The fight goes on!”
On Friday, during a debate held by the Social Democrat Party, the Minister of Environment, Rovana Plumb said: “Shale gas is a controversial theme with many points of view. For Romania it is important, from a safety and energy independence point of view, to ensure a way to exploit natural resources that will provide durable development and, in the same time, to abide by the strictest environmental standards.”
Gabriel Petrescu