Labour pushing summertime gas cuts after election

PvdA leader Diederik Samsom believes that the gas extraction in Groningen should also be reduced in the second half of 2015. According to Samsom, it is "unthinkable" that the gas extraction will only be reduced until July 1st and will then be increased again, RTV Noord reports. At the presentation of the government's decision to temporarily reduce the gas extraction, Minister Henk Kamp (VVD) of Economic Affairs said that he wants to keep the possibility of extracting more gas later in the year open. Kamp is sticking to a maximum of 39.4 billion cubic meters of gas in 2015. Up until July 1st, the limit is 16.5 billion cubic meters. The gas extraction in Groningen is being discussed in a debate in the Tweede Kamer (lower house of parliament) today. According to Samsom, the PvdA's input is clear. "The gas extraction should be reduced as far as possible." The exact limit for the PvdA is not known, but according to Samsom it is well below the 39.4 billion cubic meters. "The agreement is very clear. With the new gas decision we choose the safest scenario and that is the scenario where you extract as little gas as possible. 39.4 billion is not as little as possible."