Could the EU Impose a Ban on Shale-Gas Extraction and Would this Prevent Exploitation of the Fossil Fuel in Poland?

The prospect of shale gas extraction provokes extreme reactions in Europe. Green activists speak of the need for environmental protection. Inhabitants of areas with shale gas reserves express concerns about their private economic interests. On the other hand, in case of Member States like Poland, large-scale shale gas exploitation would contribute to the diversification of the currently monopolised gas supply. Consequently the region's dependency on natural gas imports from Russia would be vastly reduced. It makes perfect sense then that the Russian lobby would evoke environmental arguments