Protest planned in Groningen after earthquake subsidies run out in one day

[ad_1]

The Groningen Soil Movement (GBB) wants to once again draw attention to the problems caused by gas extraction in the province with new protest measures. The Action Group announced the protest with Parliamentarian Sandra Pekerman and former mayor Chris Jarrett, a day after a fund to improve home quality in the earthquake-rift zone ran out in one day.

The protest is set to take place on Saturday in the city center of Groningen, RTV Nord reported. Although it is not yet clear what exactly the protest will entail. The rise also comes in response to an outgoing cabinet announcement last week that gas extraction in the province is likely to double this year.

The subsidy cap of €220.8 million has been reached to boost and make homes in the gas extraction region of Groningen more sustainable within a day. SNN, which deals with applications from local residents in Groningen on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, announced this. Director Marjan Doll said Monday was “an unprecedented day with a real rush of requests.” The counter was closed upon reaching the ceiling.

Dole said orders were processed according to a “first come, first served” principle. According to her, the appearance of long queues immediately after they opened at 9:00 am, both online and on physical counters, is a “logical consequence.” “50,000 people wanted to sign in digitally at the same time,” Dol Lines also said outside municipal offices, but according to the manager, they were released at noon. More than 2,600 orders were received at the 10 physical counters on Monday.

It is not yet known how many digital applications were introduced when the support cap was reached. Due to waiting times, not everyone can be helped in time – around midnight, the online waiting time was over 100 minutes – so not everyone’s application for €10,000 benefit will be processed. Dole said it was the result of a very small budget. “For the 53,000 addresses eligible for support, there should be a budget of 530 million euros,” she said.

The responsible foreign minister, Hans Welbevreve, said that if support for improving the quality of homes in the earthquake zone “threatens to be overrun, we will simply look at it”. According to Filbrev, the high enthusiasm is a “good sign” that the scheme is popular. It will take months before it becomes clear to what extent the support will actually be granted. “That, of course, depends on whether all these people deserve it,” the secretary of state said.

SNN will inform Groningen residents of the processing of their application within 13 weeks.

[ad_2]