Protesters decry Lithuania's shale gas plans
Hundreds of Lithuanians protest plans by the government and Chevron to explore for shale gas
Lithuanians gather for an anti-American demonstration rally at the President palace, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. Protesters oppose government plans to explore shale gas fields in the western part of the country. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) -- Waving signs reading "Chevron, go away!," protesters demonstrated Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital against the government's plans to let the U.S oil company to begin shale gas exploration.
An estimated 500 protesters shouted and banged drums in central Vilnius in response to a recent government move to issue Chevron an exploration license for western Lithuania. One protester carried a sign that read "No American capitalists on Lithuanian soil."
Critics say shale gas exploration and production creates a significant environmental risk in the heavily forested areas close to the Baltic Sea.
"They will dig enormous holes that will spoil our drinking water ... and then leave. People will not make any money on this," said Pertas Kazlauskas, a protester. "We will do everything to keep this monstrous technology away."
According to estimates by the National Geological Service, Lithuania could have 50 billion to 60 billion cubic meters of shale gas reserves, or about 20 years' worth of gas at the country's current rate of consumption.
Supporters of shale gas — including the center-left government of Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius — argue that the reserves represent a rare opportunity for Lithuania to decrease its energy dependency on Russia, which currently supplies all of Lithuania's gas.
Chevron officials say they hope to begin exploration work this year, but growing public opposition may delay those plans.
