The government has decided to unblock concessions for the extraction of natural gas in the Adriatic Sea and to start new gas research and extraction activities throughout Italy. The norm takes up some projects of the previous government of Mario Draghi. According to the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, this is a necessary measure to "guarantee energy security" and help the most energy-efficient Italian companies, that is, those most in need of energy to keep their production process active. The most notable news is probably the release of mining activities in the Adriatic Sea, where some of the most important deposits in Italy are present. The extraction of gas from the Adriatic is very slow due to the resistance of some local administrations and national laws: one, dating back to 2006, prohibited the extraction of gas less than 12 miles (i.e., just over 22 kilometers) from the coast. Now the government wants to allow – in the Adriatic, but not only – gas extractions even between 9 and 12 miles from the coast. To be exploited, the deposits must have an estimated capacity of more than 500 million cubic meters of gas. In addition, the closest extractions to the coast must take place below the 45th parallel, which passes just above Ferrara: the intention is to preserve the area of the Venice lagoon to avoid compromising its extremely delicate area.