It has been recently reported that David Cameron sent a letter to Barroso warning that the EU is at risk of being left behind in the shale gas revolution unless red tape is cut. David Cameron believes that "There is clearly merit in providing additional clarity on how the existing comprehensive EU legislative framework applies to shale gas," nevertheless he is “not in favour of new legislation where the lengthy timeframes and significant uncertainty involved are major causes for concern.” The Prime Minister stressed in the letter, “The industry in the UK has told us that new EU legislation would immediately delay imminent investment".
UK’s businesses leaders believe there is no need for new EU legislation on shale gas as “The current regulatory framework ensures proper environmental safeguards are in place”. They stressed that “New European legislation could increase costs to business and threaten the exploitation of this valuable source of energy, without offering any additional environmental protection.”
According to Reuters an EU official said "There will be no new legislative proposal on shale gas or fracking rules under this mandate," but the European Commission will propose "robust guidance to set out how member states should interpret and enforce the existing EU rules." However, the European Commission was planning to put forward, early next year, a legal framework for shale gas in Europe as part of its 2030 energy and climate-change strategy. Arguing that the shale gas industry would benefit from greater certainty about the environmental standards, the Commission was set to propose to further harmonise monitoring and reporting requirements, which would create further red tape and costs to British industry.
It remains to be seen whether the European Commission will accept David Cameron’s request.
This clearly shows that the European Scrutiny’s recommendation for a unilateral veto should be introduced as soon as possible. Bill Cash presented on 29 November, a United Kingdom Parliament (Sovereignty) Bill which would introduce a unilateral veto over EU legislative proposals. It not only provides,“where, on a motion supported by not fewer than 100 Members, each House of Parliament passes a resolution in identical terms instructing a Minister of the Crown to vote against the adoption of a European Union initiative or proposal, the Minister shall so vote;” but, it would also ensure that all EU proposals that are adopted despite our opposition “shall not form part of the law applicable in any part of the United Kingdom;”
