Bloomberg: U.K. Lobbied in Brussels to Halt EU Legislation on Shale Gas

The U.K. lobbied European Union policy makers to stop plans for a new law on shale gas exploration, according to an official letter.

The government aimed to convince EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik and EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard that existing European laws are adequate, according to the letter from Ivan Rogers, the U.K.’s permanent representative to the EU, sent to officials in London.

The U.K. also sought to support European Commission President Jose Barroso in his view that there is insufficient evidence to propose new legislation, according to the letter dated Nov. 25 and obtained by Bloomberg News.

The U.K.’s campaign was a success, based on draft guidelines reported yesterday. The proposals will largely leave regulation of drilling to member states, allowing pro-shale governments including Britain and Poland to set their own policies on hydraulic fracturing, the drilling technique that’s made the U.S. the world’s largest gas producer.  MORE