Environmental Group Challenges Expansion of Gas Drilling in Lower Saxony

Hannover, Germany – The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), together with the action alliance Against Gas Drilling Bad Fallingbostel, has filed a legal objection against the planned expansion of gas drilling in Lower Saxony's Heidekreis region. The application for a main operating plan by the Canadian company Vermilion had been approved by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Geology and Energy (LBEG).

DUH suspects that Vermilion aims to circumvent the requirement for an environmental impact assessment by initially applying for a maximum production of 500,000 cubic meters per day, even though actual production plans may exceed this threshold rapidly. The environmental group, along with the alliance, calls for a clear rejection of the fossil fuel project by the state government and authorities.

Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Federal Managing Director of DUH, stated that new gas drilling is "out of time from a climate policy perspective" and exposes people and the environment to unnecessary risks. "Neither greenhouse gas emissions nor risks to local health or the environment have been sufficiently assessed. Lower Saxony is committed to climate neutrality by 2040. New gas drilling with a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years completely contradicts this goal," Müller-Kraenner said.

Hans-Heinrich von Hofe, spokesperson for the action alliance, emphasized that the alliance "decidedly rejects" the development of new natural gas drilling in their region. He highlighted risks to health from carcinogenic substances like benzene and mercury, threats to drinking water due to the use of chemicals and toxic formation water, and a high risk of earthquakes. "New natural gas drilling is a climate and economically misguided path," von Hofe concluded.