Germany to draft anti-shale fracing rules on public opposition

BERLIN (Bloomberg) -- Germany plans to adopt regulation that will rule out shale fracing for the foreseeable future. The government wants to ban hydraulic fracturing in shale rocks and coal beds at depths less than 3 km (1.8 miles) and prohibit all types of fracing in water protection areas, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said today, July 4. The government will start drafting legislation and seek to adopt it in the second half, Hendricks told reporters today in Berlin. The rules will be re-evaluated in 2021.

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