Worthy Christian News > World News > Dutch Government Apologizes For Groningen Earthquakes (Worthy News Radio)

Dutch Government Apologizes For Groningen Earthquakes (Worthy News Radio)

By Stefan J.Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News reporting from The Netherlands

GRONINGEN, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – A court in The Hague has called a temporary halt to plans by a Dutch company, ONE-Dyas, to develop a new gas field under Dutch and German waters near Germany’s island of Borkum amid a debate about tremors. The ruling came as the longtime prime minister of the Netherlands for the first time apologized to residents of the northern Dutch province of Groningen, who suffered for years from earthquakes caused by natural gas extraction.

Mark Rutte spoke as decades of drilling at one of the world’s largest known natural gas fields damaged thousands of homes and ruined the lives of generations. But Rutte’s apology and pledge to fund a generation-long program to revitalize the remote region has received a mixed reception.

Yes, the Martinitoren, or St. Martin’s Tower, still stands as the tallest church steeple in the city of Groningen. After all, this 16th-century architectural marvel, with its brick spiral staircase and carillon bells, has survived wars and fires. But if it could speak, it would tell about recent years of earthquakes that have shaken residents in this proud students-attracting capital of the province of Groningen.

The quakes have been caused by the extraction of natural gas nearby. The Groningen natural gas field was discovered in 1959 and is the largest in Europe. Years of extraction have caused subsidence, which in turn has led to tremors.

The quakes have increased since the 1990s. In 2013 alone, there were 133 of them, according to official estimates. As a result, thousands of damaged buildings were demolished for safety reasons. As a result, children in several schools needed to have classes elsewhere.

Researchers and the authorities say at least 100,000 Groningen residents have suffered damage to their properties over the last three decades.

A quake even shakes this farm in the village of Middelstum, footage obtained by Worthy News shows. It’s one of the traditional brick buildings dotting the landscape.

DAMNING REPORT

A damning parliamentary commission report says the government owes the region a “debt of honor” after decades of putting natural gas profits before people.

Rutte, in power since 2010, has now pledged 22 billion euros in compensation for victims and apologized for many ruined lives. “The machine of natural gas extraction just continued thundering as usual. As a result, houses and people were damaged. For that, I offer my apologies on behalf of the cabinet today. Here in Groningen,” he told residents in Groningen’s village of Garmerwolde.

“We stand here, cap in hand. We can’t take away all the suffering of the past. We can’t undo what went wrong since gas extraction started. But we are determined to do things differently. Working closely with the people here. That means a commitment of years, an approach for an entire generation,” Rutte added.

But quake victim Ger Warink living in the town of Loppersum watched Rutte’s televised remarks with mixed feelings. “He has to go, but of course, then his state secretary for Groningen has to leave too. Rutte never listened to us,” he said.

Warink briefly paused. “We must see what they will do for us, the quake victims. I don’t think I will live when the government solves this
issue.”

Following its discovery, the natural gas field, with its brassy noise, became central to the country’s energy supply. A consortium including energy giants Shell and ExxonMobil extracted gas for decades.

Officials say profits have delivered 363 billion euros to the Dutch treasury since the 1960s. That money helped lay the foundation for the country’s generous welfare state, while Shell and Exxon profited about 66 billion euros.

STRONG QUAKE

An unusually strong earthquake in 2018 saw the government promise a rapid end to all production, expected by 2024 at the latest.

But local authorities and quake victims say these measures are only a first step in the right direction.

A visibly emotional mother, Frouke Postma-Doornbos, told a parliamentary inquiry about how the earthquakes had impacted her children.

“Our sons had to spend their teenage years in a stressful environment with very stressed parents. Both of them have experienced the mental consequences of these difficulties. Our youngest son became very depressed. We didn’t initially realize this. He shut himself off and lived in his world.”

She fought back tears and added: “And when I saw this later, I thought I’d failed as a mother. I was fighting for this home, but I also had to fight for my child!”

The natural gas field is now winding down operations. But victims fear generations will continue to suffer the material and mental consequences caused by the turmoil deep beneath Groningen’s land.