There is an area of effect around the Groningen field, where the drilling takes place, where the damage is also evident. According to Wietze Hiemstra, the three municipalities of Drenthe – Aa en Hunze, Tynaarlo and Noordenveld – fall within this area of effect. “Here too we are seeing damage to houses, mainly due to cracks and subsidence.” According to the mayor, the consequences of the earthquakes do not stop at the provincial borders.
Debt of honor
Also, it is specific to North Drenthe that the Norg gas deposit is located in the province. “We are also dealing with a smaller field where salt is extracted, so there is a buildup of mining assets,” explains Wietze Hiemstra. On this, in their own words, the Municipalities and the Province have already sounded the alarm with the government. ‘But rightly so, much attention is paid to Groningen. I understand this, because the problem is also serious. But sometimes it snows under northern Drenthe.’
“Obviously there should be no difference between the residents of Groningen and North Drenthe if you suffer from the same problems”
The parliamentary committee of inquiry into natural gas extraction in Groningen has indicated that the debt of honor that Groningen should receive should also go to North Drenthe and its inhabitants. “Obviously there shouldn’t be any difference between the residents of Groningen and North Drenthe if they suffer from the same problems,” agrees the mayor of Aa en Hunze.
4.6 billion euros
The municipalities are therefore asking the Ministry of Economy and Climate Policies for an amount of around 4.6 billion euros. This amount is based on the compensation in Groningen and on balance amounts to EUR 50,000 per inhabitant. “I think something like this would be appropriate for us,” says Wietze Hiemstra.
According to Wietze Hiemstra, however, it is not just about the damage, because “damage is legal liability”. The specific issue is that the debt of honor promised to Groningen must also apply to North Drenthe. “Most importantly, the earthquake-affected areas must be given a future perspective.”
Compensation plan
The three municipalities have now drawn up a compensation plan together with the province. It focuses on three main themes. “First of all, the people who have damaged their homes in earthquakes must be compensated for it and those homes must be made more sustainable,” says Wietze Hiemstra. Social cohesion in affected areas should also be considered. “As a result, people have mental problems, health problems and financial stress, which affects society.”
“I hope the government takes this seriously and the residents of North Drenthe can soon move on”
The third theme of the compensation plan includes offering a sustainable future perspective for the area and its inhabitants. According to the mayor of Aa en Hunze, the infrastructure needs to be improved to achieve this, because “it is precisely in these less populated areas that the structures are under pressure”. Wietze Hiemstra hopes that the government will take the proposed plans seriously and that the residents of North Drenthe will soon be able to move forward.