Public Consultation on proposed Terms of Reference for a Programme of Research on Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction
Summary: Summary report of the major issues that were raised by the submissions and an explanation as to how the EPA have responded to them
The EPA has invited tenders for a two-year research programme to further our understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from UGEE projects/operations (including construction, operation and aftercare). This research will involve an extensive desk-based literature review of UGEE practices worldwide and some baseline-monitoring. It has been designed to produce outputs, which will assist regulators (North and South) in fulfilling their statutory roles regarding this activity. This research programme is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The research programme will be managed by a steering committee comprising the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government; DCENR; the Geological Survey of Ireland; Commission for Energy Regulation; An Bord Pleanála; Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and the Health Services Executive (nominated, following the Public Consultation).
The EPA launched a public consultation on the draft Terms of Reference on the 11th January 2013, which closed on the 8th March 2013. 1,356 submissions were received. The EPA and the Steering Committee have now reviewed the submissions. The draft Terms of Reference were amended and strengthened after this public consultation.
Submissions:
All valid submissions are available for download at the following link: View the submissions.
