Village chairman Jos van Hees is satisfied with the number of residents who participated in the survey, he describes the number as ‘quite good’. According to him, it indicates that the subject is alive and has been taken seriously by the local population.
The village representative itself does not take a position on the result. “Someone else, in this case State Secretary Vijlbrief, has to think something about that. We don’t. We are neutral about it and will not exert any further influence on it.”
The village council plays an independent role, he emphasizes. “We have done what we had to do: use this survey to find out what the village thinks about the wastewater injections. If we had not taken on that task, we would have lost our responsibility.”
The result will go to Vijlbrief after tonight. The State Secretary was initially firm about the support among the local population. If that is not the case, then it will not take place, he initially stated.
Later, it came to a strong splash of water with the wine: the sound from Schoonebeek is included as part of the final decision-making. You almost start to wonder what weight the results of the village survey will have as a result.
“Practice will tell,” says Van Hees. “But there will be pressure from the parliamentary committee and the political parties anyway. They take the result very seriously. Vijlbrief has also indicated that. The final consideration is a burden on his shoulders. I’m sure he won’t do it overnight. ice goes.”
An additional hurdle is that the NAM already has a permit for oil extraction. “The process would have been simple if the NAM had to start all over again. Perhaps a line would have been drawn through everything faster. But we are not in that scenario.”
Despite the divided opinion about the proposed plan, the majority of supporters and opponents agree on one thing. There must be something in return for a green light. Consider, for example, compensation for a decrease in the value of homes or a guarantee fund for any damage to real estate and the environment.
The handling of damage should not result in practices such as those with the Groningen earthquake misery: reports must be made without the requirement to first come up with evidence.
Part of the proceeds from oil extraction must also flow back to the region. The money can then be invested in making homes, facilities and infrastructure such as roads and cycle paths more sustainable, according to residents.
The NAM and the government have already made statements about this. Schoonebeek has been promised millions. “How big that amount will be, we do not interfere with that. But it is nice to see that everyone thinks pretty much the same about how the money is spent.”
The question remains, however, how the organization will work with regard to spending. “That will be a difficult process. For example, what role does the municipality play? Some residents fear that they will use the money to fill holes and pots left and right. I don’t want to think that way. But alertness is required.”
In any case, the money should end up where it belongs: with the people living near the gas fields, says Van Hees. “The residents are entitled to it. And we are going to work hard for that.”
In addition to Vijlbrief, the results of the survey will also be sent to NAM, the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs and Climate, the water board and the municipalities of Emmen and Coevorden. The documents can also be read back on the website of Dorpsbelangen Schoonebeek from tonight.
View the reaction of village chairman Jos van Hees here: