* A few hundred people began protesting two days ago in the commune of Pungeşti against the placement of the first Chevron rig
This week, American company Chevron wanted to begin the installation of the rigs for the exploration of the shale gas in the Vaslui area, even though the authorities have not presented to the citizens so far, a study concerning the effects of this kind of operations.
We don't know yet whether the soil in the area will be able to swallow 35,000 tons of water a day, as stipulated daily by the exploitation techniques, if microearthquakes occur or if the water will still be drinkable in the area.
Vaslui is one of the poorest areas in the country, but people don't seem to be willing to compromise and are taking to the street. But the authorities in Bucharest are suspiciously silent.
The intention of Chevron is to begin the exploration of shale gas in the region of Vaslui sparked off the reaction of the residents of the villages of Siliştea and Armășoaia in the Pungeşti commune, who took to the streets over the last two days, to protest the decision of the authorities which granted the American company a license to install a drill in the area.
For now, the protesters have succeeded in delaying the bringing in of the equipment sent in to prepare the installation of the Chevron rig, and one of the officials of the American company ordered the equipment, including the crane, to be stationed on the road, "until the situation in the area is resolved", according to the local press.
The protests in the region were attended by almost 300 people, including anti-Chevron activists who came in from Iaşi, Bârlad and Galaţi, who don't agree to the installation of the rig which will drill for shale gas.
The protesters have complained that the local authorities have not come to the area to explain to them how American c
