Landsberg district council stops controversial gas drilling - a victory for the environment!

Landsberg district council stops controversial gas drilling - a victory for the environment!

The district council of Landsberg am Lech made a groundbreaking decision on October 1, 2025: 58.5 percent of the votes voted against planned gas drilling and production in the district. This decision is a clear signal to everyone involved and shows that the focus is on protecting groundwater, agriculture and tourism. The district council members have unanimously spoken out against making their own land available for gas exploration. In doing so, they are setting an example for a future-proof energy policy that focuses on sustainability. This reports Radio Oberland.

In the last few months in particular, there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the gas drilling in Reichling, which had already started in August 2023. Although the test drilling has now been completed, public criticism of the project remains alive. Activists even climbed the 40-meter-high drilling tower to draw attention to the risks. Greenpeace supported these actions with a banner placed next to the drilling site. Both citizens and the parties represented in the district council express concerns about the possible negative effects on drinking water, the landscape and the climate. Even before the district council voted on the application, a joint application from the CSU, UBV and the Greens said: “Environmental and nature conservation are the top priority,” as the Augsburger Allgemeine reported.

Public discussion and responsibility

The motion signed by Wilhelm Böhm (CSU), Christoph Jell (UBV) and Renate Standfest (Greens) clearly shows the need for a broad public discussion about gas drilling in the southern Landsberg district. In this context, the district council also emphasizes the importance of a sustainable energy mix that increasingly relies on renewable energies and efficiency.

Approval for the gas drilling project was granted by the South Bavaria Mining Authority on June 26, 2024. Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH is responsible for the project, which has two concessions for a 100 square kilometer area between Lech and Ammersee. Up to ten natural gas wells are planned, with another property already leased for a second well in the Lech Ost concession area.

A strong vote for fossil freedom

Stefan Krug, head of the Greenpeace Bavarian state office, sees the district council's decision as a clear expression against fossil fuels in the district. It is a step that not only takes local concerns into account, but could also contribute to global climate protection. This decision not only protects the quality of life of the residents, but also sets an example towards a future-oriented energy policy.

Given the risks mentioned, such as noise, emissions and traffic pollution, it remains to be seen how the population will react to the developments. The district administration has promised to regularly inform the public about the status of the proceedings and thus promote a transparent discussion. One thing is certain: this decision could have far-reaching consequences for energy policy in the region.