In Groningen, disappointment surrounds the decision to continue gas extraction in the village of Warffum. Groningen parliamentarians claim the government has broken a promise, while the action group Warffum Alert also expresses regret.
The extraction permit, originally set to expire this year, has been extended by the government until 2032. VVD Minister Sophie Hermans visited Warffum to explain the decision.
Erik de Graaf of Warffum Alert, present at the meeting, expressed disappointment but not surprise, stating that hopes were dashed. Research institution TNO, alongside the State Supervision of Mines (SodM) and the Mining Council, provided a positive recommendation, asserting that extraction can continue safely and responsibly.
Hermans considered damage repair procedures, which De Graaf found insensitive. He criticized her reliance on positive advice, ignoring negative stances from local and provincial authorities.
Groningen MPs also expressed their disappointment, citing broken promises. The government claims that Warffum is not part of the Groningen gas field.
De Graaf intends to challenge the decision, potentially in legal proceedings. Meanwhile, plans for gas drilling in the Frisian area of Ternaard are met with relief from local authorities, as Hermans intends to prevent it.
Source: NOS