If Russia stops the gas supply to Europe, more gas may be extracted in Groningen as an alternative. This is the opinion of almost two thirds (63 percent) of the participants in a survey by EenVandaag about the war in Ukraine. Groningers are divided.
Due to earthquakes with a lot of damage as a result, the cabinet wants to stop gas extraction in Groningen as soon as possible. But it does not rule out that the tap will open further if we no longer have Russian gas. The Netherlands imports several billion euros worth of Russian gas every year.
Major concerns
Most respondents are already concerned about the current high gas price (80 percent). Gas prices were already relatively high before the conflict, but they have risen further since Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
They also fear a shortage of gas in the short term (61 percent) and during next winter (60 percent). Many people think it is a very bad thing that we partly depend on Russia for our gas. “We are now reaping the bitter fruits of that.”
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Necessity knows no law
If it comes to the point where we don’t get any Russian gas at all, that would have major consequences for society. In such an exceptional situation, many panel members think it is possible that we use Groningen natural gas, after all: necessity breaks the law. “It would be crazy that we don’t have enough gas here, while it’s just in our own soil,” says someone.
Most people do say that pumping up their own gas should be as little as possible at the expense of Groningen residents. They have already experienced enough misery with gas extraction in the past. Many participants argue for some form of compensation: “It’s easy for me to say, I live in Utrecht. I think it’s important that the proceeds go to Groningen and the Groningers. They should not suffer as a result.”
‘Groningen has suffered enough’
One in five participants in the survey (22 percent) is against the use of Groningen gas. For them, the argument that the people of Groningen have been dealing with damage to their houses for years without a real solution weighs the most.
Someone writes about this: “As long as the damage caused by earthquakes due to gas extraction is not tackled decisively and people are not properly compensated for this, it is not justifiable to continue with gas extraction, even in a crisis situation.”
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Groningers themselves divided
900 inhabitants of the province of Groningen took part in the study. They are divided on the matter. The largest group (51 percent) is against further gas extraction. Many have experienced the consequences themselves and are suspicious of the government.
“No way,” says a Groninger. “Let them repair the cracks in my house first. Moving is not an option for me, so I’ll be stuck again. Buy gas from Norway or something.” Another: “As a resident of Groningen, I am not comfortable with it. The greed of the rest of the Netherlands may well win over the decency to properly solve the problems in Groningen.”
Only with compensation
Four in ten Groningen residents (41 percent) in the survey are positive about gas extraction in their province in an emergency. As long as a solution is devised for the inhabitants in advance.
“As a Groninger, I think that more gas can be extracted, provided that compensation is made particularly generously, without bureaucratic red tape. I would like to help the country if we are also helped here,” writes a participant from Groningen.
About the research
The survey was held on 25 and 26 February 2022. 23,147 members of the EenVandaag Opinion Panel took part in the survey, including 906 residents of the province of Groningen. After weighting, the study is representative for six variables, namely: age, gender, education, marital status, distribution across the country and political preference measured after the 2021 elections to the House of Representatives. The Opinion Panel consists of 70,000 members.
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