Just before the new cabinet took office, it became clear that the gas tap will be closed less than previously announced. The last straw was that thousands of Groningen residents had to press digitally and physically on Monday to claim a compensation subsidy for making their home more sustainable and renovating. In many cases this was initially in vain, because the previous government made insufficient budget available.
“The two recent events are painfully exemplary of how The Hague has dealt with Groningen for years,” said the Groninger Soil Movement, which set up the manifestation. The new State Secretary for Mining Hans Vijlbrief came on Friday with an extra 250 million euros, so that everyone who is entitled to it can receive the subsidy.
Nevertheless, the protest continued. Although it was decided in 2018 to turn off the gas tap for good and the phasing out of gas production went quickly, it is unpalatable for many people in Groningen that more gas than anticipated will be extracted from the ground this year.
Close gas tap
In 2018 there was also a large torchlight procession in Groningen, just after the earthquake at Zeerijp, which ultimately heralded the decision to turn off the gas tap. Although the cabinet still maintains that gas extraction in Groningen will be on the pilot light at the end of this year, many Groningen residents have little faith in this. There is also a lot of frustration about the difficult reinforcement operation.
Although gas extraction has been reduced considerably in recent years from approximately 50 billion to 7.8 billion cubic meters, the earthquakes are not over yet. The KNMI reported last week that there was more seismic activity in Groningen last year than in 2020.
Video: Harry Cock