The German NDR TV channel broadcasted the show “Excessive panic? The bad image of fracking” on 2 September 2014. The 10-minute-long show questions, among other things, the statements of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and the Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) that the production of shale gas is a risk technology, although this finding cannot be deduced from the 2nd report [see SHIP News] commissioned by the UBA. In a discussion with the head of the study for the 2nd UBA report, it becomes clear that “such words [risky technology] are not contained in our survey”, says Uwe Dannwolf, Hydrogeologist. Furthermore, it is explained that the burning water taps from the ‘Gasland’ film have nothing to do with “fracking”; new developments in frac fluids as well as the potential risks of earthquakes.

You can view the report here in the German ARD Mediathek until 11 September 2014 [only available in German].

On September 5, 2014 the UBA issued a statement on the recent episode of the television program „Panorama“. Click here to read the comments. Panorama responded with a statement of its own on September 6, 2014. Read more here. A new statement is published on september 9, 2014 by the TV channel NDR.