Romanian PM: Some royalties from shale gas exploitation could go to local communities

Romania is starting to shape up structures and regulations for the future shale gas exploitation. Prime Minister Victor Ponta has recently said one possible option would be to give some of the royalties paid by companies to local communities, and the rest to the state budget. This would keep local communities interested in having such exploitations in their areas, rather than oppose them, as it has happened so far. “But we still have to see if there is shale gas there,” said the PM referring to the ongoing explorations by several companies. However, when it is certain shale gas has been found, a clear debate will be organized before issuing a new law to regulate the field, he added. During a Digi TV show, the PM also tried to rule out fears of bad effects to the environment. “Should we trust the stories saying our fountains will be poisoned, which represent propaganda taken on by good-faith and ill – faith people, who never knew to tell me what the solution is. Taking gas from Russia?“ said the PM. “If we have these resources, we will put everything we know and we have on the table, including environment conditions that have to be met. The future Government and the future Parliament will make a decision,” he concluded. editor@romania-insider.com