Document for Public Consultation
Summary: Draft Terms of Reference for a Research Programme on the Environmental Impacts of UGEE
Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction is an emerging issue in Ireland, in particular with regard to the use of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) technology. Recognising the need for detailed scientific information, the EPA initially commissioned preliminary desk research which was published in May 2012 which is available here.
This information has been used, along with other sources such as European Commission reports, to assist in a scoping exercise for a more extensive and comprehensive study of the process. A steering committee has developed proposed Terms of Reference for an extensive and comprehensive programme of research to be funded by the EPA, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DECNR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
The Research Programme will be administered by the EPA on behalf of the funding agencies and steered by a committee with representatives from DCENR, Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (DECLG), the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), An Bord Pleanála (ABP), the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI).
The public consultation on the draft Terms of Reference for a Research Programme on the Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction which is in line with the EPA’s policy of openness and transparency, closed on the 8th March 2013.
