The gas fields in Groningen will be permanently closed, a majority of the Dutch Senate decided after a debate yesterday.
The decision is a result of the adoption of a bill that will amend the Gas Act and Mining Act. The original bill stated the closure would come into effect as of October of this year. State Secretary for Mining Hans Vijlbrief told NOS the official signing can happen this week. RTV Noord reported that Vijlbrief will travel to Groningen for a symbolic signing ceremony on Friday while the King’s signature will make things official at a later stage.
Only three parties voted against the proposed bill: the conservative-liberal JA21, the right-wing FVD, and the pensioners’ party 50Plus. The opposing parties warned the rest of the Senate of the destruction of capital and a lack of appropriate energy alternatives to the gas fields.
Closing Groningen’s gas fields has been on the table since 2018, due to the damage to local homes and structures from Earthquakes caused by the natural gas extraction. Two weeks ago, the Senate announced it would postpone the vote on this proposed bill, triggering backlash from multiple parties and Groningen locals. The now-approved bill puts a clear and definite end to the gas fields, which have been operating for 60 years.
“Finally, Groningen residents get the security they deserve!” Vijlbrief wrote on his personal X page. In the same post, Vijlbrief stated he will be coming to Groningen on Friday to discuss the decision with local residents.
Over the past 60 years, the Groningen gas fields generated around €363 billion for the Dutch National Treasury, according to data published by the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into Natural Gas Extraction in Groningen.
The same report emphasises that despite the social benefits and projects this revenue has funded, the damages of the natural gas extractions caused cannot be ignored. As of the end of 2022, 267,466 claims of earthquake damage had been made, 11,800 addresses were considered not safe, and there were numerous reports of high levels of stress and mental health issues among locals.
In February, Shell and ExxonMobil began an arbitration case against the Dutch State over agreements made regarding the closure of the gas fields. The case is still ongoing.
