Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Politics
coalition
earthquakes
elections
gas decision
gas extraction
Groningen
Henk Kamp
Jan Vos
Ministry of Economic Affairs
opposition parties
PvdA
VVD
Friday, 13 February 2015 - 09:41
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Labour rolls over on gas extraction issue

The PvdA decided to support Minister Henk Kamp's (Economic Affairs) new gas decision after all, NU reports. A final decision on the reduction of gas extraction in Groningen will only be made on July 1st. Last night PvdA Parliamentarian Jan Vos handed in a motion in which he asks Kamp to reduce the extraction to the lowest possible level from July 1st. He did not however insist on a decision before July 1st. He considers it "unthinkable" that more than 35 billion cubic meters of gas will be extracted over the entire year. Vos regretted that the other parties did not stand behind his motion, which was co-signed by the VVD. He accused the opposition of "playing Hague games". According to the opposition parties, the coalition-motion keeps the option open that 39.4 billion cubic meters of gas could still be extracted. And that is what is upsetting the residents of Groningen. They want clarity about their safety. And that include a reduced gas extraction for the entire year. Earlier in the debate the PvdA still called on Minister Kamp to reduce the gas extraction to the lowest possible level (35 billion cubic meters) with immediate effect. Kamp did not agree. He said that he would only draw a conclusion based on advice. To reduce the extraction now would not go along with "the care that may be expected from a minister", Kamp said according to NU. Kamp did say that he will not rule out the possibility that the extraction level will be deceased to the level of supply security (domestic demand and gas export commitments) in July. On Monday Minister Kamp announced that the gas extraction in Groningen will be reduced to 16.5 billion cubic meters for the first half of this year. The gas decision of 39.4 billion cubic meters remained in place, however. Last night's parliamentary debate was attended by a large number of Groningen residents. They sang the national anthem before the start of the debate and occasionally made noise during the discussions.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Ajax pick up their first win since October in Heitinga’s debut
  • Philips restructuring: Massive layoffs and recall of sleep apnea devices
  • Police officer injured after being dragged more than 300 meters by car
  • Extinction Rebellion protest: 768 arrests made and 725 activists released
  • League leaders Feyenoord drop points away to FC Twente
  • Hundreds of people attend Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam

Top stories

  • Dutch royal family under fire for “caricature insensitivity”
  • Prime Minister Mark Rutte will speak at Holocaust commemoration
  • A12 open again after Extinction Rebellion protest, more than 500 people arrested
  • Police intervenes Extinction Rebellion protest on A12; Dozens of people arrested
  • Rutte lashes out at left wing parties in election campaign interview
  • Netherlands and the US agree on export restriction of ASML chip machines

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content