Before the federal court – setback for Berndorfer gas opponents

by time news

2023-05-06 20:50:40

A company wants to produce even more natural gas in Berndorf. The community and many citizens are against it and are calling for an environmental impact assessment. But a court rejects this.

The year is 2023. Countless scientists around the world are warning of a climate catastrophe with serious consequences and are calling for an immediate switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. But an Austrian company now wants to produce even more natural gas in Salzburg’s Flachgau region, more precisely in Berndorf. The plans of Austria’s largest gas storage company, RAG Austria, have been a topic in the village of 1,700 for decades. With three new probes, up to 120 cubic meters of natural gas per day are to be extracted from the ground. The community is against this plan: the new gas wells would be carried out “too close to settlement areas”, just 150 meters from residential buildings, explains Mayor Johann Stemeseder in the “Krone” conversation. Also, one of the most beautiful parts of the site would be affected by the drilling. There are also concerns that the project could be followed by others – for example a new gas storage facility. Therefore, the municipality, together with the local water cooperative and eight affected residents, contacted the responsible federal administrative court in Vienna. One of the project opponents is Herbert Maurer, himself a resident: “An EIA would be in line with the climate protection laws. We ask for this because the affected area is very sensitive, especially when it comes to water.” Another argument is that drilling could lead to contamination. After months of examination, the administrative judges made a decision: “There is no obligation to carry out an EIA for the development of the natural gas reservoir,” says the decision of April 11th. A setback for opponents of drilling. The mayor wants to clarify with the community representatives and lawyers the way to the next instance, the administrative court. And Maurer says: “We will continue to fight.”
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