Dutch far-right legislators argue that Groningen's gas field should not be permanently closed

The far-right party in the Netherlands announced on Thursday that it will propose a proposal to keep the Groningen Gas?field available as a reserve, despite its closure due to seismic risk in 2024.

The JA21 plan would allow for the possibility of re-taping some wells. This is in contrast to the Dutch government’s?earlier promise to permanently seal wells with concrete and never reopening them.

Other far-right politicians, such as?Geert wilders of the Freedom Party, have endorsed this proposal.

Wilders stated that it was logical to keep our gas reserves as an emergency reserve, given the current geopolitical situation. The gas fields' output should be exclusively for the Netherlands, and not "serve" the rest of Europe.

The plan has not been endorsed by the Parliament. About 22% of lawmakers voted in favor of this plan.

After decades of extraction, which caused earthquakes, and extensive damage to homes, the Groningen gas field ceased all production?in 2024. The Dutch government has repeatedly refused to reopen the field because of safety concerns.

(source: Reuters)