2 apr 2024 om 21:16 Update: 1 uur geleden
The Senate wants to take longer to discuss the law that regulates the permanent closure of the gas tap in Groningen. VVD, BBB, PVV, SGP, JA21, FVD and 50PLUS first want more clarity about security of supply and the geopolitical situation.
It is still the intention that gas extraction in Groningen will come to a definitive end this year. The closure of the gas field is officially recorded in a law, which was almost unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives last month. Only FVD and JA21 voted against.
The plan was to use October 1 as the formal end date, but the House of Representatives even decided that it should happen as soon as possible. After the debate, outgoing State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief therefore exceptionally sent a letter to the Senate with the request to deal with the bill quickly.
The debate on the law was therefore penciled in for April 9. But a majority of the Senate decided on Tuesday that it was going too fast. They are not satisfied with the answers to written questions they received from Vijlbrief before the Easter weekend.
The VVD’s proposal to take extra time for the treatment was supported by a majority. The party had discussed this in advance with at least BBB, PVV and JA21. It led to confusion and surprise among the other factions in the Senate. GL-PvdA, CDA, D66, SP and Volt reacted indignantly to the proposal. They would prefer to discuss the bill next week, so that the people of Groningen would have clarity sooner.
No gas has been extracted from the Groningen field since October
As soon as the law has been adopted by both Houses, the dismantling of the installations can begin. The pits are then filled with concrete. Since last October, with the exception of two cold days, no gas has been extracted from the Groningen field.
The VVD emphasized that subsequent treatment does not necessarily have to make a difference, but that it does want to go through the process carefully.
