A bid to change the law banning fracking in France has been rejected by the constitutional council.
The ban was introduced in the country in 2011, over fears of damage to the environment from the shale gas exploration method.
US-based Schuepbach Energy, who challenged the ruling, has had two of its exploration permits cancelled in southern France.
“The constitutional council threw out these four complaints and ruled that the disputed components of the July 13, 2011 law comply with the constitution,” French lawmakers said in a statement.
The news follow an EU vote on Wednesday to force energy companies to carry out in-depth environmental audits before undertaking fracking.
The rules were narrowly approved by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France and still await another round of voting in the Parliament once a final wording agreement is reached with European Union governments.
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