Climate minister Leonore Gewessler of the Greens surprised the coalition partner with her plea for a ban on fracking gas. The speech of the Council of Ministers that she wants to take to the government meeting on Wednesday does not agree with the ÖVP.
That is why no one in the People’s Party wants to comment on it. It is said from the party headquarters of the ÖVP that no one wants to do fracking. The People’s Party is also opposed. So a ban is not necessary.
In the newspaper, which was leaked to the “Krone”, Gewessler literally wants to state that “fracking in Austria is not an option worth pursuing from an energy, economic, environmental or climate policy point of view” and that the government “declares itself sustainable, environmentally compatible and rapid expansion of renewable energy sources.
Governor currently says no
In the coordination meeting for the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, the Greens and the ÖVP will have to discuss how to deal with the minister’s initiative: should she withdraw, or will the ÖVP go along with it? The subject of fracking is mainly discussed in Lower Austria, as the industry is committed to this controversial method of gas extraction in the Weinviertel.
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), who is currently campaigning, is skeptical to negative. A unanimous opinion of the experts and a clear position of the Ministry of the Environment are needed on this subject. As long as that is not the case, she has a clear no to fracking.
Fracking uses high pressure and chemicals to split deep layers of rock and extract gas or oil.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
