Groningen not happy with the promise Minister Henk Kamp (VVD) made them that the government will cut back on gas drilling by Audrey Graanoogst, January 18, 2014, NLTimes.nl
The five, who were protesting at the town hall in Loppersum where Kamp was giving a press conference, were invited in to talk to Kamp. John Lanting, leader of “Schokkend Groningen,” was among them. Lanting is determined not to give up or give in and talked about a campaign that would make world news. Only after consulting with other groups did he decide to postpone his idea for now. ‘The suggested compensation is not high enough, Kamp does not listen to Groningen, Kamp has robbed us, lied to us and deceived us for many years,’ are some of the statements made by the campaign leaders. Protesters of the “Groninger Bodem Beweging” (GBB) (Groninger soil movement) were not invited for the meeting with minister Kamp, much to their dismay. They have a campaign planned for Saturday, in Stedum, and have every intention to keep campaigning. The movement does not agree with the plans minister Kamp outlined. There will also be a “slow down” campaign on the A-7, Saturday, with a closing event in Zuidbroek. During this event, the unemployment in Groningen will also be highlighted. “Schokkend Groningen” en union FNV will also be present. [Emphasis added]
Friesland wants to be compensated for the effects of gas drilling, according to representative Sietske Poepjes to the NOS by Audrey Graanoogst, January 18, 2014, NLTimes.nl
Friesland’s part in gas production is only 4 percent of the total production, but soil subsidence due to the extraction of gas causes a disruption in the water levels, resulting in damage to properties, according to Poepjes. The deputy announced her plan to write Minister Kamp of Economic Affairs a letter, requesting compensation. Poepjes fears gas drilling activities may be increased in Friesland, now that they are going to be decreased in Groningen and wants to make sure Friesland’s voice is heard. The provincial board also wants to be rewarded with a “site advantage, ” meaning that the regions with the natural resources receive financial compensation. The gas fields in Warfstermolen and Anjum, in the east of Friesland are small. Gas is also extracted in Tietjerksteradeel and the Wadden, but the gas fields are small and chances of earth quakes relatively small.
The government decided today to cut back on gas extraction in Groningen in the course of the next few years, which is estimated to cost the Netherlands 2.7 billion euros until 2017, according to Minister Kamp. [Emphasis added]
Netherlands Cabinet agrees to cut gas production in Groningen by M. Nadeen, January 17, 2014, NLTimes.nl
Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp visited the village of Loppersum on Friday to reveal the government’s plans to scale back and provide money for damaged homes and infrastructure in the area. The government wants to cut gas production in the area around Loppersum by 80% for the next three years, Nos reported. People were concerned about earthquakes caused by natural gas drilling. As a result of earthquakes caused by gas drilling, real estate market is also facing problems in Groningen. The value of houses is falling there.
The total production in 2014 and 2015 will be reduced to 42.5 billion cubic meters per year. It will cut back to 40 billion cubic metres in 2016. A total of €1.2 billion [$1.8 billion Canadian] will be spend over the next five years for strengthening buildings, houses and infrastructure in Groningen. PvdA leader Samsom pleaded for ‘adjusting’ gas winning in Groningen to safer levels, Thursday, during his visit to Middelstum in the Groningen province. [Emphasis added]
[Refer also to:
Groningen gas fields – the Dutch earthquake zone
Gas quakes anger Dutch farmers but relieve state coffers