Polish Zurawlow says „no“ to shale gas

Hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) is big business, especially in Poland. Estimates did suggest the country may be sitting on a gas supply that could cover domestic needs for the next 300 years and end the Poland’s dependence on Russian imports. Two years ago, the US Energy Information Administration estimated there could be as much as 5.3 trillion cubic meters in the area around Zurawlow in the east of Poland.

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Zurawlow residents supported shale gas mining until they learned how dangerous fracking could be to the environment. They now fear the exploitation of gas by fracking will ruin the ecosystem, pollute their water sources and destroy their livelihoods.

Last year, the people of Zurawlow set up a blockade successfully preventing Chevron from launching operations on a site earmarked for drilling. They referred to a law prohibiting any kind of work that would threaten birds' habitats during breeding season. Locals and Chevron have been involved in several mutual disputes since. Legal advisors come to the site to explain to the farmers what rights they have. Activists from the US, the Czech Republic and Lithuania come to share their experiences about fracking too.

-tk-

Article source Deutsche Welle - Germany’s international broadcaster
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