Gas drilling in Molln: “You feel like you’re on a highway”

The test drilling in the Jaidhaustal near Molln (Kirchdorf district) is progressing faster than expected. Drilling into the ground immediately next to the Kalkalpen National Park began on February 24th. According to the energy company ADX, we are currently four days ahead of schedule. The Welchau 1 drilling project in Molln runs until March 31st. According to information from ADX, an average of around 75 meters is being advanced into the depths of the northern Limestone Alps every day. Whether natural gas will actually be discovered remains to be seen in the coming days.

• Also read: Drilling is taking place in Molln: “A real tourism industry has developed”

Opinions are divided in the Jaidhaustal. In particular, the Nature Conservation Association and the citizens’ initiative Pro Natur Steyrtal pointed out which notice requirements the ADX company is said to have violated during its exploration drilling. “The procedure has been approved and the 36 conditions from the authority’s decision have been laid down. This is not a dream concert”says environmental lawyer Martin Donat.

The Nature Conservation Association charges ADX with the following violations of the requirements:

• Proceedings against security guards: A security guard at the drilling site must appear in court in Steyr on April 24th for coercion and attempted suppression of evidence. “I wanted to film the security guard who attacked my colleague about 30 meters from the drilling site. The man took my cell phone, fled into the facility and tried to delete data”says Florian Kogseder from the citizens’ initiative Pro Natur Steyrtal. Further lawsuits – for example for damage to reputation – are being prepared.
• Exceeding the size of the drilling site: ADX took up 1,309 square meters more land than was originally approved in the notice. This was the result of an official survey, which was also reported to the district administration authority, says Barbara Sitter from the citizens’ initiative.
• Introduction from neophytes: Part of the requirements was to clean vehicles and equipment before each new entry into the valley area. According to the Nature Conservation Association, this did not happen, which led to the introduction “alien plants” could come. “Just think of the Asian balsam or the Japanese knotweed. These plants can spread extremely quickly”says environmental lawyer Donat.
• Threat to the ecosystem: Around 800 trips to the drilling site with numerous trucks and cars have now taken place in the Jaidhaustal. “You feel like you’re driving along a highway”says Reinhard Kofler, resident and member of the citizens’ initiative.
• Does the gas actually stay in Austria? The Nature Conservation Association now accepts that the drilling will be completed. “The only question is: what will happen if gas is actually found”says Bernhard Schön. Schön sees the justification for being independent of gas imports from abroad with the natural gas found as problematic. “It doesn’t automatically mean that ADX sells the gas to Austria. And it will still be years before the gas actually comes onto the market.” An ADX spokesman yesterday commented on the new allegations as “further attempt to publicly discredit the company and the project”. It’s not for anyone “intentional violation of the requirements” came.

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