If residents now have damage to their homes, they must prove themselves that the damage was caused by the gas storage in order to be eligible for compensation. In February, the CDA already filed a motion to reverse the burden of proof. If that happens, residents will be allowed to report their damage without proof. In that case, the damage will only not be compensated if the Institute for Mining Damage Groningen (IMG) can demonstrate that the gas storage or gas extraction is not the cause.
State Secretary Vijlbrief said earlier that he wanted to look at an amendment to the law, but according to CDA MP Agnes Mulder that is taking too long. That is why she is presenting an amendment today that could “speed up the procedure”. A tour of the NOS shows that this plan has a majority in the House of Representatives.
Residents currently have to make a lot of effort to be compensated, says Mulder. “We thought we had arranged it well, but it turns out not to be the case.” That can be solved by reversing the burden of proof, she thinks, and that has to be done quickly. “We don’t want Groningen conditions in Drenthe.”