Lack of understanding in Groningen about the postponement of the gas decision

A majority in the Senate is not entirely convinced that security of supply is sufficiently assured. The Provincial Council in Groningen wants to discuss the issue on Wednesday. “We cannot accept this,” said a statement signed by nine political groups.

‘Security of supply argument is being abused’

King’s Commissioner René Paas is concerned about the sudden postponement move by the Senate. “The argument of security of supply has often been abused in recent years to ignore the interests of Groningen residents. Not again. Permanent closure of the gas wells in Groningen is essential. And it is promised.” He strongly appeals to all groups in the Senate to enshrine this in law.

‘Middle finger to the people of Groningen’

The BBB in the Senate, among others, was in favor of postponing consideration of the law regulating the closure of the gas wells. Almost all factions in the House of Representatives had agreed to it. Hendri Meendering of the Groningen faction of GroenLinks calls the BBB unreliable when it comes to the safety of Groningen residents. “It feels like a middle finger to Groningen residents,” said his party colleague Nadja Siersema-Orsel. Their SP colleague Agnes Bakker: “An insult to the promise made to Groningen. There was no trust anyway. Time for a different course and action from provincial politics.”

BBB faction leader Gouke Moes supports the request to discuss the issue on Wednesday in a (already planned) meeting of the Provincial Council. “All BBB factions (Eerste Kamer, Tweede Kamer and Groningen) are fully in favor of permanently closing the Groningerveld,” he said.

State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief (Mining) had urged the senators to act urgently and previously stated that he was ‘unpleasantly surprised’ that they did not want to comply.