French President Francois Hollande has again ruled out exploration for shale gas during his presidency. The comments come as a French court was due to examine an appeal against a government ban on "fracking".
France has some of the most plentiful reserves of shale gas in Europe, but there are objections to shale exploration on environmental grounds.
"As long as I am president, there will be no exploration for shale gas in France," Mr Hollande told French TV.
France's top court was this week due to examine a challenge to the ban on fracking - the process by which shale gas is released - by Schuepbach Energy, which held two exploration permits that were cancelled when the law was passed in 2011.
TVNL Comment: How rare.... an elected official who hasn't sold out to the drillers. Wake up, America.... you're being fracked to death.
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