The cabinet announced last week that gas extraction from Groningen will stop this autumn. But the gas field won’t really be closed until the fall of 2024: in the event of a severe winter and problems with gas storage, gas extraction can still be brought to the “pilot level” next year. SodM confirms that Vijlbrief was advised before this decision was taken. But the secretary of state “has to weigh different interests against each other,” according to a spokeswoman.
Due to the uncertain international situation following the war in Ukraine, the launch of the pilot level was delayed, Vijlbrief said earlier. This is only possible in “certain very exceptional situations”.
Health complaints
In its advice, the SodM points out that “some of the residents develop stress-related health problems, from which people can die prematurely”, as shown by the research.