Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry: Interests of people of Groningen structurally ignored during gas extraction

The interests of the people of Groningen have been structurally ignored during gas extraction in Groningen. The consequences for them are disastrous. This is the main conclusion of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into natural gas extraction in Groningen.

President of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp took receipt of the report from committee chair Tom van der Lee
President of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp took receipt of the report from committee chair Tom van der Lee.

In its report ‘Groningers before Gas’, the committee states that the Netherlands owes the people of Groningen a debt of honour and it makes recommendations as to how this debt of honour can be redeemed. President of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp took receipt of the report on behalf of the House of Representatives in Zeerijp on Friday 24 February.

Different perspective

“Redeeming the debt of honour starts with putting the interests of the people of Groningen first,” says committee chair Tom van der Lee. “The safety, protection of property, health and wellbeing of the people of Groningen were not given sufficient weight in the decision-making regarding gas extraction in Groningen.” The committee concludes that a change of perspective is required. Van der Lee: “This is not just about liability. It is about the moral obligation to take away the damage and pain visited upon Groningen and the people of Groningen, and – unavoidably – making available extra people power, money and effort.”

Presentation in Zeerijp

Van der Lee presented the report to the President of the House of Representatives during the presentation in Zeerijp, in the earthquake area. Vera Bergkamp: “It is important that the truth about the decision-making has been established and that the way in which the interests of the residents of Groningen were dealt with has been made apparent.” She is communicating the report to the Economic Affairs and Climate Policy committee, for them to prepare the parliamentary debate.

Conclusions and recommendations

The committee of inquiry investigated the decision-making regarding the gas extraction, earthquakes, claims handling and reinforcement in Groningen. In the report, the main conclusion is set out in ten conclusions. Thereafter, the committee of inquiry elaborates eleven recommendations for redeeming the debt of honour the Netherlands owes the people of Groningen. The report comprises six parts.

Read the report in English