Information on actions taken is yet to be received by the Commission.
Gas Extraction Project in Reichling, Bavaria: A Contentious Extension
A Project of Controversy
The small town of Reichling in Bavaria, Germany, is currently at the centre of a heated debate over a gas extraction project near Lake Ammersee. The project, operated by Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH, has been a point of contention for the local community, environmentalists, and authorities due to concerns about its environmental impact and contribution to climate change.
The Companies Behind the Project
Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH is an 80%-owned subsidiary of MRH Mineraloel-Rohstoff-Handel GmbH and 20%-owned by Genexco GmbH. The company applied for an extension of the mining permit "Lech" for the exploration of hydrocarbons for commercial purposes until 30 September 2027.
The Extension Application and Review
The application was discussed at a town council meeting in Reichling on Monday. The application process and the project are under review by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Bavarian State Government, the State Office for the Environment, the South Bavarian Mining Authority, and the Landsberg am Lech District Office are to submit their statements to the ministry by 5 September.
The Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists are advocating for a shift away from the extraction of climate-damaging fossil energy carriers. They fear groundwater contamination, air pollution, and ecosystem disruption from the gas extraction project. Additionally, the concerns over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel extraction conflict with Germany’s climate goals.
The Potential Impact
If successful, the company plans to extract natural gas over a period of ten to fifteen years. It is estimated that 400 to 500 million cubic meters of gas could be extracted, potentially meeting the local gas demand of 10,000 to 15,000 households during the extraction period.
The Future of the Project
The decision on the extension of the mining permit is pending, as the statements from the aforementioned authorities are still being gathered. The success of the gas extraction will be determined by the exploratory drilling. Delays in the search for natural gas have been reported recently, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the project.
As the debate continues, the people of Reichling and the surrounding areas eagerly await the outcome of the extension request. The project's future will have significant implications for the local community, the environment, and the broader energy landscape in Germany.
The project's extension is being considered by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, with environmentalists advocating for a move away from projects in the oil-and-gas industry, such as the gas extraction project in Reichling, due to concerns about climate change, groundwater contamination, air pollution, and ecosystem disruption. The companies behind this project, Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH, are subsidiaries of MRH Mineraloel-Rohstoff-Handel GmbH and Genexco GmbH, and the potential impact could include the extraction of 400 to 500 million cubic meters of natural gas, meeting the gas demands of around 10,000 to 15,000 households over ten to fifteen years.
