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21 LBJ J. Pub. Aff. 11 (2013)
Obstacles to Shale Gas Development in Eastern Europe: Green Activism or Red Politics

handle is hein.journals/lbjalopua21 and id is 11 raw text is: OBSTACLES TO SHALE GAS DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN EUROPE: Green Activism or Red Politics? ALISA SCHACKMANN MGPS, LYNDON B. JOHNSON SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS R ECENT DISCOVERIES OF vast shale resources in the United States coupled with quickly advancing technology to extract shale gas have generated excitement among the energy community around the world. Following rapid progress in shale gas development in the United States, international actors have turned their eyes toward potential shale gas reserves in other parts of the world, including China and Europe. Tensions over energy resources loom heavily in the European Union, which has traditionally been dependent on Russian gas imports to fuel its economy. Recent studies have identified significant potential in shale gas reserves underneath Eastern European countries including Poland and Bulgaria. Yet, while Poland seeks to develop its shale resources through partnerships with firms experienced in U.S. shale gas production,' Bulgaria has placed moratoriums on all shale exploration.2 What motivates this divergence in policies between European states? Although many sources point to the politics of environmental activism, remnants of Communist oppression might hold the stronger influence. BACKGROUND: OBSTACLES TO DRILLING IN EUROPE As in the United States, shale gas exploration in the E.U. has drawn opposition from a growing number of citizens and environmental groups. Much of this opposition is based on fears of negative effects on the environment and on human health by the process of extracting shale gas known as hydraulic fracturing-also called fracking. Environmental impacts of fracking operations, including the potential for gas leaks, despoliation of the countryside, water supply contamination, and induced earthquakes, have been thoroughly examined in studies and assessments in both the United States and EU. Many argue that European countries placing bans *Editor's note: This article was originally written in the spring of 2012.

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