Flaws and Drawbacks in Present Regulation and the Need to Take Action and Support the Renewable Energies Policies in Italy

Renewable energies is an important sector that needs to be sustained and increased by the action of policies and economic support. Opponents to the extraction of fossil fuels justify their renounced use with the COP21 statements, signed by all the participating countries to implement the production of renewable energies and reduce the use of fossil fuels. In particular, the containment of release of greenhouse gasses, and a more favorable GHG emission balance are the major points to be considered. The referendum to be held on 17 April 2016 is calling Italians to express their opinion on the extension of licenses to allow sea drilling offshore activities within 12 miles (22 km) from the coast, aimed to extract fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. The deposits affected are the oldest ones that have been extracted. Therefore, most of them are near to depletion, and theirdrilling platforms havehighly reduced activity. The new laws established last year are prohibiting the assignment of new concessions offshore within 12 mile zone, while allowing the continuation of those previously authorized until the fixed deadline. For drilling outside the 12 mile zone, other laws have been approved, and therefore not included in the referendum. In case of a victory forthe No drilling party, at the natural conclusion of licenses, the drilling wells will be sealed, the infrastructures on the sea bottom will be removed, the platforms decontaminated and carried onto dry land for demolition, independently from the potential to exploit further the available fossil fuels still present in the deposit site. The number of concessions for activities within 12 miles, whose licenses will expire between 2017 and 2027, is, in total, 17 [1]. In 2015 they produced 1.21 billion m3 of methane, about 17.6% of national production. Only four concessions contributed oil extraction activity ofabout 500,000 tonnes, which is 9.1% of national production. Figure 1 depicts a cartography map of the sea areas involved, and Figure 2 presents the data on the production of natural gas from concessions located within 12 miles that are still operative. Figure 3 shows the oil production form concessions operative indrilling offshore within the 12 mile zone. Concessions located more than 12 miles offshore will not be affected by the consultation. The licenses refer to 43 platforms, of which 31 are in production, that in 2015 produced 2.48 billion m3 of natural gas, 36% of national production.