Gas drilling in Molln: “Only a small group is against it”

You want to “correct the wrong picture”: For this reason, the CEO of the Australian-Austrian gas exploration company ADX, Paul Fink, at a press conference in Linz on Thursday. The nearly 4,000 residents of Molln are not opposed to the test drilling, as was previously the case in the media – on the contrary – the majority have nothing against it or are even in favor of it, it said. There would be a long list of supporters, including local residents – a farming couple appeared at the press conference – as well as entrepreneurs based in Molln, such as Kurt Bernegger and Christof Piesslinger.

The background is a possible natural gas deposit in Molln: As reported, gas with a total energy volume of 270 terawatt hours (annual consumption in Austria is 96 TWh) is assumed near the Jaidhaus nature reserve – the value is 10 billion euros. Test drilling on an area of ​​5100 square meters (duration: six to eight weeks) should provide information about the actual occurrence, after which the promotion is in the room. “Domestic natural gas makes an important contribution to global climate protection,” said ADX CEO Fink. It is much cleaner than LNG gas because no fracking takes place. In addition, Austria could become less dependent on gas imports from abroad.

Allegations against “sensitivity squad”

The initiative “ProNaturSteyrTal” opposes the drilling, project name “Welchau-1”: In their opinion, the drilling project endangers the rare species in the nature reserve and the Kalkalpen National Park through noise and light pollution. For example, an endangered bat species is affected, according to the initiative. The effects on ground and surface water are also not foreseeable. The production of fossil energy is also in contrast to the climate protection efforts.

At the press conference, ADX boss Fink described “ProNaturSteyrtal” as a “feeling troop” consisting of only a few people. They would have spread numerous untruths about the planned construction project and the company. The initiative would have reported 25 drilling rigs, but in fact there would only be five or six drilling sites if the project were ultimately approved. The claim that ADX would appear in the Panama Papers is also untrue, Fink said. In response, “ProNaturSteyrtal” accused ADX of “sentiment mongering” in a broadcast.

ADX and the “ProGasMolln” interest group receive support from local politicians: SPÖ local councilor Martin Schober was also present at the press conference. “Only a small group is against it, the rest of the population either doesn’t care or is in favor of it,” he said, describing the mood of the possible drilling in the national park community. All four parties in the municipal council agree that they are not opposed to the project: “It can be a good thing from which we benefit”. He personally is of the opinion that the gas should be obtained in Austria in an environmentally friendly form rather than bought abroad.

“We act unanimously as a community,” said Schober, adding: “That doesn’t happen often.” His party colleague Andreas Russmann, Mayor of Molln, is neutral. The local chief told OÖ Nachrichten that today’s appointment was not coordinated with him. “On the part of the municipal council, there is no resolution for or against the test drilling.”

Drilling this year?

The test drillings have already been approved by the mining authority, but the state of Upper Austria has not yet issued an environmental decision. A nature conservation report could be decisive: As reported, the appraiser rated the points “emissions”, “recreational value” and “landscape” negatively, talking about significant impairments. The suffixes “substantial” and “considerable” could be decisive. The disturbance of the landscape is only temporary, said ADX CEO Paul Fink. On the other hand, there is the long-term economic benefit.

ADX’s statement will be submitted no later than September 15, Fink announced. The company expects to announce the decision by mid to late October. In the event of a positive assessment, construction of the well site is planned to begin in November and December, said Alan Reingruber, Austria head of ADX. Gas could then be drilled from December to February.