Dutch Cabinet Approves Groningen Act for Regional Development
Annual €250 million support fund and improved damage repair measures set to benefit Groningen and North Drenthe, pending parliamentary approval.
The Dutch cabinet has approved the Groningen Act, a significant measure designed to address the challenges faced by the earthquake-affected regions of Groningen and North Drenthe. The law must still be reviewed by the Council of State and passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate before it takes effect.
Key Provisions of the Groningen Act
The Groningen Act aims to formalise the "debt of honour" owed to the region following the damaging earthquakes caused by gas extraction. The law includes several measures:
Annual Support Funds: €250 million per year will be allocated to social and economic projects in Groningen and North Drenthe.
Damage Repairs and Sustainability: The government is required to maintain sufficient funds for repairing damage, strengthening homes, and making them more sustainable.
Simplified Damage Claims: The Groningen Mining Damage Institute (IMG) will repair damage up to €60,000 without investigating the cause, streamlining the process for affected residents.
Secured Budgets and Inflation Adjustments
State Secretary Eddie van Marum (Herstel Groningen) praised the approval as a major step for the region. By enshrining the budgets in law, the funds are protected from cuts by future cabinets and will be adjusted annually for inflation.
Criticism and Objections from the Region
While the law addresses many concerns, regional governments and advocacy groups have raised objections:
Damage Repair Limits: Critics argue that the €60,000 limit is too restrictive. They want victims to be able to claim additional repairs if damage reappears after initial fixes.
Final Discharge Clause: Under the current draft, once damage is repaired, victims cannot file additional claims unless there is a new earthquake. Advocacy groups, such as the Groninger Bodem Beweging, argue this clause should be removed.
The Ministry of the Interior plans to meet with stakeholders in January to discuss these concerns. However, the text of the law will remain confidential while under review by the Council of State.
Next Steps
The proposal is expected to reach the House of Representatives in spring 2025. If approved, it will proceed to the Senate for final consideration. The law represents a critical step toward providing long-term support and ensuring the region's recovery and resilience.