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DFW

(54,058 posts)
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 08:45 AM Jun 2014

At the border near me, the Germans are giving the Dutch hell, and this time, they're right

The huge gas field near Groningen, which has propped up the Dutch economy and kept their outside energy needs low for decades is running low. Soon, the will need to use all they produce for domestic needs and not have any left over to export. They are, in some areas, looking into fracking to prop up production. There have already been man-caused earthquakes in the region of Groningen, not exactly a hotbed of seismic activity under normal circumstances. Now Dutch energy interests are looking into fracking in the area of the German border near where I now live. The Germans are furious, complaining (correctly) that fracking in the border area will not only contaminate Dutch drinking water, but German drinking water. Plus when earthquakes start causing damage on the German side of the border, no one in Holland--public or private--will claim any responsibility for repairing the damage.

A country as densely populated as Germany understands full well the environmental dangers of fracking, and wants no part of it. What the Germans can't understand is why a country as densely populated as Holland is turning a blind eye to those same dangers. I can't, either.

For the record, not everyone in Holland is for fracking. My friends, who live in Gelderland, just over the border, aren't for fracking, either. But they don't have as much spare cash for bribes as Royal Dutch Shell, so their opinion doesn't count for much.

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At the border near me, the Germans are giving the Dutch hell, and this time, they're right (Original Post) DFW Jun 2014 OP
Crap--spoke too soon DFW Jun 2014 #1
best of luck to you and all Germans and the Dutch nt steve2470 Jun 2014 #2
We'll need it DFW Jun 2014 #3
Wow, what insanity. CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2014 #4
In the short term DFW Jun 2014 #5

DFW

(54,058 posts)
1. Crap--spoke too soon
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 08:10 AM
Jun 2014

I just read in today's paper that the Merkel government, looking at shortfalls in German energy needs in light of possible sanctions on Russia, is now changing their minds, and looking into fracking in Germany.

Considering the dense population of Germany, this is an unmitigated disaster waiting to happen. To the Germans' credit, even the suggestion prompted immediate and fierce opposition. Unfortunately, in Germany (I swear I am not making this up) sitting members of the Parliament are allowed to sit on the boards of major corporations--WHILE STILL SERVING IN PARLIAMENT. So there will be some opposition to a fracking ban from members of the government who will be voting the interests of their corporate buddies instead of their constituents (where have we heard THAT before?). Since some of those companies are energy companies, there will be friendly ears to the idea of fracking in Germany where there should be none. Just look at what former Social Democratic Chancellor Schröder does for a living--makes a fortune representing Putin's GAZPROM in Germany. Chancellor Schmancellor--who iss payingk ze billss, ja?

Luckily, there is still a huge opposition to any fracking in Germany, and hopefully the fear of voter wrath will discourage it. I am not looking forward to seeing what it is like to be able to set fire to what comes out of my kitchen faucet.

DFW

(54,058 posts)
3. We'll need it
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 08:24 AM
Jun 2014

It's not well known, but there have been hundreds of minor earthquakes in the Groningen area in the Netherlands, where the giant gas field is--something never reported in the German press.

If a mid-sized quake topples the twin spires of the Kölner Dom during tourist season, the whole world will hear of it, albeit too late.

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,308 posts)
4. Wow, what insanity.
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 08:31 AM
Jun 2014

But in a way, I'm almost happy to hear this awful news. It does mean that we're not the only nation who looks to fracking to solve our energy problems.

I hope the Germans who are now considering fracking come to their senses as well as the Dutch.

I fear for our planet.

DFW

(54,058 posts)
5. In the short term
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 01:38 PM
Jun 2014

I fear for our drinking water and our house foundation.

Back in 1993, we had a real earthquake--the first one in this area in something like 250 years. This part of the Rheinland just is not a hotbed of seismic activity. Houses here are not built to withstand earthquakes. And since the DNA of the local human population does not differ dramatically from humans elsewhere, poisoned drinking water is just as harmful to our health as it is to people in Pennsylvania.

Both the Germans and the Dutch know that. But they know that in southern Italy as well, and when it came out that the local organized crime was involved in a deal that was contaminating the drinking water of Naples, a Mafia boss told his underling that at least they could afford bottled water. This is about how much ANY group involved in activity that would contaminate the environment for the masses reacts. Henrik Ibsen foretold this in his play "An Enemy Of The People," and that was 130 years ago.

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