The government must provide a substantial contribution for oil extraction in Schoonebeek. The current compensation for the restart of oil extraction is a pittance, according to the majority of the political parties in Emmen. A fist is therefore being made towards The Hague, according to Dennis Dekker (Wakker Emmen) and Rene Wittendorp (CDA).
Last night, the Emmer factions considered a response from the municipality to the NAM permit applications. The oil giant currently has two a week at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK). One is about wastewater injection, the other about the new extraction plan.
One of the main pain points for Emmen is the financial contribution from the government for oil extraction in Schoonebeek. Currently that is 1 euro per extracted barrel. For the duration of the extraction, this amounts to 30 to 45 million euros.
The government does not directly contribute anything extra to this. The province and the municipalities of Emmen and Coevorden, as the authorities involved, previously assumed double this. The disappointment was great, because EZK and outgoing State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief initially promised a contribution. And that sour outcome also had an impact on the various factions.
“Schoonebeek has been presented with a fat sausage for a long time,” responded Dennis Dekker (Wakker Emmen). “Now it turns out to be a frankfurter.” The fact that EZK does not want to contribute is a thorn in Dekker’s side. “The State Secretary has promised more. He should not keep quiet and hide behind his caretaker status.” Similar sounds were heard at other parties.
“A slap in the face of the Schoonebekers,” said Arno de Vries (PvdA). “The government has settled the distribution of pleasure mainly to its own advantage.” Roy Pruisscher (Christian Union) indicated that “the region should not become a region where you can go about your business”.
According to Rene Wittendorp (CDA), he heard NAM say during two information evenings that the area contribution should cover 10 to 20 percent of production. “In that case you end up with a compensation of 2 to 4 euros per barrel. Those are very different numbers.”
Dekker corrects the CDA that as far as NAM’s share is concerned, it is really 5 to 10 percent. So around 1 euro per barrel. But if you were to add the previously promised government contribution, you would get there, according to Dekker.
Wittendorp also pointed everyone to two motions that were discussed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Both can offer perspective for the situation in Schoonebeek, according to the CDA faction leader. A motion on reverse burden of proof was adopted. In that case, NAM must prove that possible damage to homes is not caused by its activities. A second motion for more fair compensation for Schoonebeek was postponed.
According to councilor Jan Bos, the reverse burden of proof was not the solution. “The Mining Damage Committee now regulates all mining damage and NAM must do what this authority says. If the burden of proof is reversed, you as a resident must contact NAM yourself.” And if you are proven wrong, you should also hire a lawyer yourself, says Bos. Whether that has a ‘relieving effect’ is another matter, according to the councilor.
According to Bos, the postponed motion offered an opportunity. According to him, the State Secretary is not completely closing the door and the motion still has a chance in an amended form. Perhaps the municipality can play a role in this, says Bos.
The factions did have the idea of sending a clear signal to The Hague. With the absolute commitment that more money must go to Schoonebeek. Dekker and Wittendorp are taking the lead in this. It is not yet known what that signal will look like. Wittendorp: “But we will think about that soon.”