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Bavaria Lawmakers Reject Reichling Gas-Drilling Halt as Regulator Sees No Immediate Danger

New analyses show groundwater could carry pollution to the Erbistal source in roughly 72 days, tightening the window for any drinking-water response plan.

Overview

  • The state parliament voted down a petition from Bund Naturschutz, Greenpeace and Fridays for Future to stop drilling, despite roughly 60,000 supporting signatures.
  • The Bergamt Südbayern says current investigation results do not indicate a hazard and give no basis to alter or revoke existing approvals.
  • Updated hydrogeology puts local groundwater flow at about 10 meters per day, meaning contaminants could traverse the 720-meter gap to the Erbistal source in about 72 days and casting doubt on the existing emergency plan.
  • August 2025 sampling logged increases in zinc, barium and BTEX above preliminary thresholds, with officials noting the signals may stem from decades-old oil activity rather than last year’s probe.
  • Local officials seek explanations over delayed data transmissions and safety assurances as reviews continue and the operator evaluates the project’s economic viability and any future permit applications.