The Greens reacted with sharp condemnation to Economy Minister Katherina Reiche’s (CDU) proposal to boost gas production in Germany. “These plans are pure madness” said Julia Verlinden, deputy chair of the Greens’ parliamentary group, to the Sunday editions of the Funke Media Group. “After this week, no one can deny it: the gas lobby sits inside the Economy Ministry”.
Reiche argued for expanding subsidies for domestic gas, pointing out that Germany has its own reserves. She said the key issue is whether the gas can be made eligible for support on favourable terms, especially in these challenging geopolitical times when resources are scarce. “We need to discuss that-especially when there are few raw materials-and a very sensitive balancing act must be struck between environmental interests and resource supply, both of which are legitimate”.
Gas extraction through fracking-injecting pressurized chemicals into deep rock layers to release trapped gas-has been banned in Germany since 2017 because of groundwater‑risk concerns. Reiche noted that the federal government has allowed the Netherlands to explore a gas field off the North Sea coast and argued that a similar opportunity should exist for Germany. “Despite legitimate worries about marine protection, the same should be possible from the German side” she said. “We can’t keep pushing unpopular measures onto our neighbors indefinitely”.
Verlinden countered that the federal government must present a concrete strategy for effectively reducing gas consumption. “Only then can we ensure affordable energy, protect the climate, and safeguard our livelihoods” she added.
