1
What are the motivations for the actions and
measures on Good Governance principles in the
Netherlands and the United States concerning gas
extraction?
An explanatory research concerning the motivations for actions and measures on Good
Governance principles for the United States and the Netherlands in their gas extraction case.
Master thesis final version.
13 January 2016
L.L.M. Elias Msc.
S1016016
Master Public Administration; International and European governance.
Leiden University
Thesis supervisor:
Dr. S.N. Giest
Second supervisor:
Dr. B.J. Carroll
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Preface
In September 2010 I started with the Bachelor Public Administration at Leiden University in which I graduated in June 2013. After this bachelor I started two Master tracks simultaneously and last June I graduated as Master of Science at the Free University of Amsterdam in the Public administration track Governance of Security (translated in Dutch: Besturen van Veiligheid). At Leiden University I was enrolled in the Public Administration master track International and European Governance. This thesis is the crownwork of a five- and a half year study in the field of Public Administration and is presented for the Master of Science graduation at Leiden University.
This thesis beholds an explanatory research concerning the motivations for actions and measures on Good Governance principles for the United States and the Netherlands in their gas extraction case. Both the gas extraction developments and consequences in the Netherlands and the gas extraction in the United States formed the main reason to perform this study. Whomever is interested in the motives for the actions and measures on Good Governance principles is advised to read this thesis since they are the targeted audience.
In this preface I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to my thesis supervisor Dr. S.N. Giest. The involved and skilled supervision during the entire thesis writing process, the constructive notes and meetings, the well-placed suggestions and the overall guidance have led to the thesis in this current form.
I would also like to pay tribute to my entire family for the constructive and moral support during the entire thesis writing process. Their involvement in the topic, their constructive questions and remarks, their support and even their constant willingness to print any article or paper I send them. Lastly I like to thank my friends for their support and motivational speeches.
I pay tribute to you all for the guidance, support and involvement,
Leonore Liliane Martine Elias
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List of abbreviations
BLM - Bureau of Land Management
CVW - Centrum Veilig Wonen/ Center for Safe Living DOE - Department of Energy
EIA - Energy Information Administration EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
NAM - Nederlands Aardolie Maatschappij / Dutch National Oil Company NEN - Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut / Dutch Standardization Institute NORM - Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
NPR - Nationale Praktijk Richtlijn / National Practice Directive OHSA - Occupational Health and Safety Act
RCAA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act UNDP - United Nations Development Program
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Index
Preface ... 2
List of abbreviations ... 3
Index ... 4
Introduction and thesis question ... 6
Chapter 1: Literature review ... 8
§1.1 Introduction of Good Governance. ... 8
§1.2 Review of Good Governance principles. ... 8
§1.3 Governance for sustainability ... 12
§1.4 Introduction of used values determined into variables. ... 13
Chapter 2: Research design ... 16
§2.1 Research Design ... 16
§2.2 Causal mechanism, operationalization and hypotheses. ... 16
§2.3 Explanation of the data collection ... 20
§2.4 Explanation of the case study ... 20
§2.5 Explanation of the validity and reliability. ... 21
Chapter 3: Casus ... 23
§3.1 Decisions about Dutch Gas extraction. ... 23
§3.1.1 Principle and context ... 23
§3.1.2 Decisions concerning the participation principle ... 24
§3.1.3 Decisions concerning the transparency principle ... 26
§3.1.4 Decisions concerning the accountability principle ... 28
§3.1.5 Decisions concerning the performance principle ... 30
§3.1.6 Decisions concerning the policy integration principle ... 31
§3.1.7 Decisions concerning the direction principle ... 32
§3.1.8 Decisions concerning the direction principle the sustainable development. ... 33
§3.1.9 Summary of most important decisions ... 34
§3.2 Decisions concerning shale gas extraction in the United States ... 36
§3.2.1 principle and context ... 36
§3.2.2 Decision concerning participation principle ... 37
§3.2.3 Decision concerning transparency principle ... 38
§3.2.4 Decision concerning the accountability principle ... 39
§3.2.5 Decision concerning the performance principle ... 40
§3.2.6 Decision concerning the policy integration principle ... 43
§3.2.7 Decision concerning the direction principle ... 44
§3.2.8 Decision concerning he sustainable development ... 45
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Chapter 4: Analyses ... 51
§4.1 Analysis of Hypothesis H1: Good Governance is positively affected by public trust. ... 51
§4.1.1 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by public trust in the Netherlands. ... 51
§4.1.2 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by public trust in the United States. ... 57
§4.1.3Analysis of differences and similarities whether Good governance is positively affected by public trust in the Netherlands and United States... 64
§4.2 Analysis of H2: Good Governance is positively affected by social well-being. ... 66
§4.2.1 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by social well-being in the Netherlands. ... 66
§4.2.2 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by social well-being in the United States. ... 72
§4.2.3 Analysis of differences and similarities that Good governance is positively affected by social well-being in the Netherlands and the United States. ... 77
§4.3 Analysis of H3: Good Governance is positively affected by economic growth of the country. 79 §4.3.1 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by economic growth in the Netherlands. ... 79
§4.3.2 Analysis whether Good governance is positively affected by economic growth in the United States. ... 82
§4.3.3 Analysis of differences and similarities whether Good governance is positively affected by economic growth in the Netherlands and United States. ... 85
Conclusion ... 87
Theoretical reflection, strengths, implications and further research... 88
Practical recommendations ... 89
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Introduction and thesis question
In the period of choosing the thesis topic it became abundantly clear that the Dutch national energy agreement was under pressure.1 One of the agreements was that 14% of all the energy in 2020 should
be produced in a sustainable manner.2 This issue regarding the sustainable development of energy
triggered my thirst for knowledge about sustainable energy. Why is sustainable development important and why is it a goal to for the government? The government’s perspective on this goal this issue was also one of the triggering factors for this study. What is the role of government in this and what are the aims that triggers the government to undertake such an endeavour. To combine all these questions, the following research question is proposed and will be studied throughout this thesis:
To what extent have public trust, social well-being and economic growth an effect on the actions and measures on Good Governance principles in the gas extraction of the Netherlands and United States?
This study investigates the relation between the motives and actions and measures of the Dutch and United States government concerning the sustainable gas extraction in both countries. The main reason to review these countries has to do with the practical relevance of the gas extraction in both cases. In both countries difficulties originated in 2012 concerning the current forms of sustainable gas extraction. In the Netherlands the heaviest earthquake of history occurred in the Loppersum area as a result of the gas extraction in the Groningenfield. The United States is extracting shale gas since the 1970’s. But the method of hydraulic fracturing, which is used to extract shale gas, is in debate since 2012. The current gas extraction forms are under strain but both governments still perform these methods of gas extraction. This line of argument opposes concerns about the actions and measures of the government concerning these developments. Such as why is the government still extracting gas? Why do they extract that amount? What actions and measures are taken to deal with the consequences? The principles of Good Governance are deemed fit to answer these contemporary practical concerns. As the literature review will show the Good Governance principles do have academic but also practical relevance. The practical relevance of these principles is that many leading institutions like the Worldbank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) the European Commission are using these principles to conduct goals and checklists to screen countries on their performance and achievements via these principles, for example the Good Governance Indicators of the Worldbank.3 Policies, actions and measures are being
1 Zuidervaart, B. (2015, 9 oktober). ‘Energieakkoord verder onderdruk door slecht nieuws’. Trouw. Retrieved from
http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4500/Politiek/article/detail/4159640/2015/10/09/Energieakkoord-verder-onder-druk-door-slecht-nieuws.dhtml (seen at 12 December 2015).
2 Zuidervaart, B. (2015, 16 april). ‘Rekenkamer: Maatregelen nodig om energieakkoord te redden . Trouw. Retrieved from
http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4332/Groen/article/detail/3959933/2015/04/16/Rekenkamer-maatregelen-nodig-om-energieakkoord-te-redden.dhtml (seen at 12 December 2015).
3The World Bank Group (2015). ‘Worldwide Governance Indicators’. Retrieved from
7 applied and changed to the extent in which these countries are determined as Good Governance. The principles of Good Governance have a practical importance, because Good Governance steers the consequential implications for countries. Countries are benchmarked on the basis of Good Governance principles so it is also important to keep improving on the relevant academic literature. The academic relevance of this thesis has to do with the fact that no leading academic institution can agree about a specific determination of the Good Governance principles. The literature review clarifies that a lot of definitions exist about Good Governance. The Worldbank, the UNDP, the White Paper of the European Commission all define and express the importance of Good Governance principles. These principles are all normatively stated and compared in a global or international context. The comparison of an in-depth analysis of the Good Governance principles in two countries has an additional value on the current existing academic literature. This thesis fills the academic gap to a certain extent because of its focus on the influence of public trust, social well-being and economic growth on the actions and measures by government on Good Governance principles. It clearly studies the effect of these three independent features on the actions and measures taken as a result of the Good Governance framework.
This study is an explanatory comparative most similar case study with a normative aspect. This normative aspect is incorporated because the main theory, the Good Governance framework, has a normative character. The study is explanatory in the sense that it explains and analyses the actions and measures on the Good Governance framework. It is a comparative study because it reviews and analysis the measures and actions taken by the Dutch government and United States government. Lastly this study is defined as a most similar case study because it solely analyses the actions and measures of the government concerning the gas extraction operation. The most similar case in this study is therefore the gas extraction operation of both countries. To answer the research question the thesis is structured as followed. The first chapter, the literature review, reviews the leading articles of leading institutions concerning the Good Governance principles and sustainable development. This chapter closes with a framework of Good Governance principles which is used throughout the entire study. This is followed by chapter two which explains the research design, the causal mechanism, the hypotheses and the data collection. The case study, chapter 3, states and categorizes the actions and measures in both Dutch and U.S. government actions and measures in six different Good Governance principles and a sustainable principle. Chapter 4, the analysis, is structured according the hypotheses stated in the research design. Every hypothesis is divided in the discussion of the actions and measures of the Netherlands, the United States and the similarities and differences between the two countries. The conclusion is the final chapter of this thesis. This chapter answers the research question by answering the stated hypotheses. It also reviews the limitations and advantages of the used theoretical framework and study itself and describes some practical recommendations.
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Chapter 1: Literature review
The main feature of this chapter is the introduction in Good Governance by giving an overview of different perspectives of Good Governance principles. This is followed by the introduction of the sustainable governance principles. This chapter ends with the determination of the Good Governance principles used throughout this study.
§1.1 Introduction of Good Governance.
According to Ulrich Karpen it is important for any level of government to strengthen the risks, to react, to anticipate and to manage problems in the changing environment (2010:18). The incorporation of Good Governance principles in the government practices of all levels of government in a country or even in an international setting can be such a mechanism. Primarily it is necessary to define governance because the governance definition is an integral part of the Good Governance principle. Much academic literature is written about the determination of governance. After careful consideration it became clear that the definition of the UNDP was most useful in this study. This definition was the most all-encompassing and taken into account the institution itself and the context of that institution it was the most logical option to use the UNDP definition of governance. According to the UNDP governance is: ‘The exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all
levels. It comprises the mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences
(UNDP, 1997: 5)’.The mediation of differences is noticeable because it highlights that even definitions of governance are not without values or principles.
§1.2 Review of Good Governance principles.
In the following section it becomes clear that there are several definitions and a multitude of principles and values which define Good Governance. The Good Governance principles of the Worldbank, the UNDP, the White Paper of the European Commission, and the Dutch principles of good governance (‘goed bestuur’) and some principles of sustainable governance are reviewed. The choice to use the Good Governance principles of the Worldbank is mainly based on the fact that the Worldbank made Good Governance indicators which are globally used.4 The Good Governance principles of the UNDP
were chosen based on the fact that the UNDP itself is a global representative of all countries and that principles that derive from such an institution can also be seen as such. The UN Development Programme seemed right to use due to the fact that this thesis enlightens the sustainable development issue. The choice to use the White Paper of the European Commission was because these principles represent the Good Governance principles of Europe. These Good Governance frameworks relate to
4The World Bank Group (2015). ‘Worldwide Governance Indicators’. Retrieved from
9 each other in a way that every framework has its own context on global, European and national level. In this view it can be said that the definitions have additional contributing values relating to the other values. The Worldbank, the European Commission and the UNDP principles can be seen as the leading and most used Good Governance frameworks. The choice to use the seven Dutch principles was because one of the case studies is about the Groningenfield, which lies in the Netherlands. These seven principles of good governance (‘goed bestuur’) can give an interesting insight in the shale gas extraction of the United States. The principles of sustainable governance are used because the gas extraction of both countries can be determined as sustainable development.
Accountability is the most important feature of Good Governance according to the Worldbank, because
it holds governments responsible for their actions (Worldbank, 1994: 12). This definition of accountability will be integrated in the Good Governance variable which is used throughout this study. This is a very important feature for the determination of Good Governance; otherwise governments are able to do as they please. Transparency and information pervade Good Governance but also reinforce (performance) accountability and deterrent corruption. Access to information is important for all players in a decision-making process to lower transaction costs, which is especially important for specific public programs (Ibid: 29-31). Closely linked to transparency and information is free press. The freedom of media is important especially in a debate on public policies (Ibid.). As said this feature is important because it will have an additional positive effect on other Good Governance principles. That is the main reason all features of this principle will be used in the Transparency variable of Good Governance used in this study. Participation is according to the Worldbank intrinsic to Good Governance (Ibid: 42-44). The involvement of the public improves the information flows, the accountability, the voice and the process and so ultimately improves the public sector management (Ibid.).This principle is used in the determination of the direction variable of Good Governance in this study, because of the positive additional effect on other principles.
The UNDP highlights the importance of Good Governance because this institution fosters strong, but also sharply limits, the state capability in the search of sustained economic, social development and institutional growth. The UNDP ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable people are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources.5 According to the UNDP there are five principles
of Good Governance. Firstly legitimacy and voice which is founded on the principle that all men and women should participate in the decision-making process, freedom of speech and the capacity to participate (Graham et al.2003:3). This principle of the UNDP gives meaning to the participation
5Worldbank,’ What is Governance?’ Retrieved from
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/MENAEXT/EXTMNAREGTOPGOVERNANCE/0,,contentMDK:2051315 9~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:497024,00.html (seen at 9 October 2015).
10 principle used in this study, whilst the Worldbank had in comparison no very straightforward determination of the participation principle. The second foundation is consensus orientation which states that Good Governance will mediate and intervene in differing interests to reach a broad consensus (Ibid.). This feature has an additional asset on the policy integration principle stated in the governance for sustainability paragraph. The second Good Governance principle is direction. This definition is founded on the assumption that leaders and public have a strategic and long-term perspective on Good Governance and (human) development (Ibid.). This will also be accompanied with a sense of what is needed for such development (Ibid.). This principle is quite important because without direction there could be no Good Governance. Without a specific target, or direction in mind the government will be adrift. A sense of direction, in for example to take care of their citizens, is of vital importance to uphold the Good Governance principles (Ibid.). All features of this principle are being used in the Good Governance variable of direction. Performance is the third principle of Good Governance and is defined in effectiveness and efficiency that will meet the needs while making best use of the resources and responsiveness of institutions and processes (Ibid.). An effective government is important because the decisions made will have a more and deeper effect in the society. This feature is taken into account for the used performance principle of Good Governance throughout this study. The fourth principle is
accountability which is defined and well-founded twofold; accountability and transparency (Ibid.).
Accountability is the fact that public as well as institutional stakeholders will be held accountable for their actions (Ibid.). This accountability principle of the UNDP differs from the determination of the accountability principle of the Worldbank because it broadens the principle throughout the whole government institutions instead of solely mentioning the government. Transparency means that processes and information are directly accessible to those concerned with this issue (Ibid.). The term direct adds an extra layer to the definition of transparency of the Worldbank and will therefore be used in the Transparency principle in this study. The last principle of the UNDP definition of Good Governance is fairness which is stated in equality, that all men and women have opportunities to improve their social well-being, and rule of law, which will enforce impartially the laws on human rights (Ibid.).
The White Paper of the European Commission states five principles of Good Governance: openness,
participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence (Commission of European Communities
2001:8). Openness specifies that institutions should work in a more open manner. These institutions should use language and information in such a way that it is accessible and understandable for the general public (Ibid.). This is especially important for the improvement of the confidence of institutions (Ibid.). The principle of openness will be taken into account in the Transparency principle used in this study. It adds a different perspective to the principles of Transparency used by the UNDP and the Worldbank. The White Paper states that the quality, relevance and effectiveness of EU policies depend on ensuring wide participation throughout the policy chain from conception to implementation (Ibid.).
11 The improvement of participation will likely create more confidence in the end result and in the institutions which deliver policies (Ibid.). The UNDP determines what participation is while the European Commission uses a more outcome based determination. Because this determination differs per institution it is important to use all of these determinations of the principle to construct an all compassing participation principle to use in this study. Accountability defines that the legislative and executive processes need to be more clear and that the European Union institutions must explain themselves and takes responsibilities in the outcome (Ibid.). A new feature in this determination is that the governing institutions should explain themselves. This principle is important because the explanation of the choices made, will have a positive effect on the implementation of the desired policy. This new feature is constructed in the used Good Governance accountability principle. Policies must be effective and timely. They must deliver what is needed indicated by a clear objective and the future impact. It also embodies the appropriate level on which policies and decisions are being made (Ibid.). The important and used feature of the accountability principle here is, is that government must deliver wat is needed with prospect in the future. This is different than the determination of the UNDP and should therefore be added to the performance principle in this study. The last principle is that the policies and action must be coherent and easily understood (Ibid.). This principle gives an additional meaning to the principle of policy integration mentioned in the governance for sustainability paragraph and will therefore be used in the construction of the policy integration principle throughout this study.
The Dutch government stated 7 principles of Good Governance in the ‘Nederlandse code voor goed openbaar bestuur’. The first principle is openness and integrity. The government is open about its procedures and decisions and it assures that information for every actor involved is accessible (Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijkrelaties, 2009: 9-12). The government is also receptive for external influences and signals and it creates a safe environment that upon these signals can be acted. The government acts in accordance with the law and is conscientious during every decision and policymaking process (Ibid.). The principle of openness is used in the transparency principle of Good Governance throughout the study. The Dutch code views the transparency principle from a different perspective than the Worldbank, the UNDP and European Commission. Therefore it is important to use because it completes the transparency principle used in this study. Participation is the second principle; it embodies the participation of civilians and other important actors in the decision-making process (Ibid.). Participation amplifies interaction with actors and its context by listening and answering to questions and ideas concerning the issue (Ibid.). Proper (translated in Dutch: behoorlijk) contact with citizens is the third principle. The government has to behave properly in every role it plays towards its citizens (ibid.). Effectively and efficiently are determined as the fourth principle. The government makes goals available and alters them when necessary (Ibid.). The government takes and upholds the responsibilities that are accompanied with these defined goals (Ibid). Lastly it is said that the government accommodates these goals with all other actors involved, so that ultimately the
12 legislation is feasible and enforceable (Ibid.). All features of these principles are important and are being used in the Good Governance principles in this study. They highlight that the government should adjust to the context and that the government acts in an efficient manner when doing so. This determination of effectiveness and efficiency is different than the other used principles in the direction principle and therefore add an extra dimension. Legitimacy is the fifth principle of the seven principles of Good Governance in use by the Dutch government. It is stated that the government takes decisions and actions in accordance with the current law and regulation and solely qualified actors make these decisions (Ibid.). Lastly it is said that the management of (financial) resources is lawful and legitimate. The
learning and self- adjustability of the government is also a principle. This means that the government
focuses on the enhancement of goals and achievements of the organisation. The government improves its achievements by taking lessons from possible mistakes or other experiences (Ibid.). The degree of receptive capital by the government from the environment and context will contribute to the learning and self-adjustability of the government (Ibid.). These principles are not used by any other institution, but they add an extra important layer to the Good Governance principle. They make a favourable addition to the direction principle used by the UNDP. Mostly because the learning and self-adjustability adds value to the sense of what is needed for a development and to the strategic and long-term perspectives. These features are constructed in the definition of the direction principle used in this study. The last principle of the Dutch code is accountability. The government answers wilfully, generously and regularly to all actors involved. To do so it makes monitoring and supervision of the governments decisions and actions more accessible (Ibid.). This determination of accountability adds that the governing bodies have to answer wilfully, regularly and generously (Ibid.) to the definition of accountability principle in this study. It highlights the importance of the fact that governing bodies should want to answer and explain their choices in a regular manner.
§1.3 Governance for sustainability
The study of the actions and measures concerning gas extraction viewed from the Good Governance framework is mainly derived from the fact that gas extraction is determined as a sustainable development strategy in this study. The gas extraction fulfills the needs of the present energy demand but also takes into account the further generation because gas extraction is less polluting than the use of other fossil resources. This complies with the definition of the Brundtland Commission report that states that development should meet the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs to be sustainable.6 It is said by Kardos that Good Governance is a critical tool
for the advancement and the incorporation of sustainable development strategies (2012:1166). Good Governance is a contributing factor for long-term commitment and strategic objectives to policy coherence through vertical and horizontal coordination, to bring sustainable development strategies
6 ISSD,’ What is sustainable development? Environmental. Economic and social well-being for today and tomorrow’, Retrieved from
13 closer to local communities (people) and to an open, transparent process of involving and consulting stakeholders (ibid.). It is stated by Kardos that Good Governance will allow efficient management of human, natural, economic and financial resources for equitable and sustainable development and guaranteeing civil society participation in the decision-making processes (Ibid.:1166). Good Governance will not guarantee sustainable development but without the principles of Good Governance it can limit and, even worse, obstruct the sustainable development (Ibid.). Kemp et al. agree with Kardos that Good Governance is a prerequisite for sustainability (2005:12-30). Governance for sustainability has certain key features. Firstly policy integration, which is the effective integration for practical decision making centres on acceptance of common overall objectives, coordinated elaboration and selection of policy options, and cooperative implementation designed for reasonable consistency and, where possible, positive feedbacks. (Ibid: 19). This principle gives meaning to the policy integration variable used in this study. The consensus orientation mentioned by the UNDP and coherent principle of the European Commission adds an extra layer to this principle and variable as well. It is investigated that only structural measures and changes will have a positive effect on sustainable development (Ibid.). This will be achieved by long-term objectives, specified rules for trade-offs, compromises and widely accepted indicators focused on sustainable development. These structural measures and changes are taken into account for the direction variable of Good Governance in this study. Without direction it is difficult to have such measures and changes and vice versa. Governance for sustainability had become an effort to initiate collaborative relationships of stakeholders around a sustainability issue (Glasbergen, et al, 2007:1), therefore partnerships where promoted as the preferred vehicles of sustainable change (Ibid: 4). According to Glasbergen et al. partnerships are being initiated because these partnerships are collaborative arrangements from different spheres in society, which are involved in a non-hierarchical process, through which actors strive for a sustainable goal (Ibid: 2). It is said that it can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness and comparative advantages of a rational division of labour (Ibid.). Partnerships can also have a negative effect on the Good Governance principles. In the conventional government policies, legitimacy, accountability and democracy have been institutionalized; these values are much less institutionalized in the fixed procedures, rules and regulations of other institutions (Ibid: 297). Partnerships can also cause conflicts in the distribution of resources and the aspired values (Ibid.). The lines of authority in the partnerships are not clear and will influence the legitimacy of the government. Confusion is possible to arise about the public and private responsibilities when the partnerships get too cosy with each other and the institutional responsibilities are not easy to define ( Ibid.:19). In the public-private partnerships the autonomy is even harder to maintain. The partnership will, in definition, get involved in the larger public polices of the government (Ibid: 20).
§1.4 Introduction of used values determined into variables.
The review of the Good Governance principles made clear that there is no single definition of Good Governance. According to van der Wal et al. Good Governance is too much of a comprehensive concept
14 that refers to ideal and static situations while practical policy issues are characterized by conflicting values (2011:2-4). As stated by Koivisto that different goodness can contradict each other’ (2013:587). According to van der Wal et al. Good Governance is practical in governance and management but the quest for balance between the values is a constant factor (2011:2-4). De Graaf et al. states that because of the multitude and diversity of values and definitions of Good Governance, it is important to have a clear definition and operationalization of Good Governance (2011: 5-11). Supported by this statement you will find the Good Governance principles for this study in the following paragraph. Table 1 shows the multitude of Good Governance principles that are used per institution. Every institution has their own Good Governance framework, it is therefore important to take several definitions of the Good Governance principles and also the sustainable development principle into account for an useful and more widespread determination of the Good Governance principles thought-out this study. Therefore six principles are defined which all have a base in the principles of the Worldbank, the UNDP, The European Commission, the Dutch code and the sustainable development.
Worldbank UNDP European
Commission
Dutch code Sustainable development
Accountability Legitimacy and voice - Participation - Consensus-orientation Openness Openness/ Integrity Policy integration Transparency Direction Participation Participation Structural
measures Participation Performance - Effectiveness - Efficiency Accountability Proper Accountability
- Transparency Effectiveness Effectively and efficiently Fairness - rule of law - human rights Coherence Legitimacy Learning and self-adjusting Accountability Table 1: Review of Good Governance principles defined by institution.
The table above made it clear that primarily participation, defined in the umbrella definition legitimacy
and voice, is one of the principles for Good Governance. In this research it is defined as the involvement
of the public in the decision-making process. Man and women are also free to speak their mind and there is no obstruction to participate in the decision-making process. The government also interacts with actors and other institutions in the context regarding the policy issue, by listening and answering to questions and ideas of all actors. The decisions are made in accordance with the law and only by those who are qualified.
The second principle used is transparency/openness. Institutions should work in an open manner. The processes and information need to be directly accessible to whomever may be concerned with this issue. The language and processes should be portrayed in such a way that it is understandable for the general
15 public. The government is open about all information concerned with this issue, it acts conscientious, it is receptive for external influences and signals and it creates an environment in which these signals can be dealt with.
The third principle is accountability. This is the definition that holds governments, institutional stakeholders and public responsible for their actions. The processes need to be clear and institutions must take responsibility in the outcome and explain and answer wilfully, generously and regularly to all actors involved.
Performance defined in effectiveness and efficiency, is the fourth principle of Good Governance used
in this study. This means that the government must be timely and it must meet the needs of the actors and institutions involved while making best use of the resources, responsive institutions and processes, it must deliver what is needed indicated by a clear objective and the future impact of the decision or action and decisions and policies must be made at the appropriate level. The government makes goals available and alters the goals when necessary, the government takes its responsibilities that are accompanied with these defined goals and it accommodates the goals with all actors involved.
Policy integration is the fifth principle of Good Governance, which is used in this study. This means
that effective integration for practical decision-making centres on cooperative implementation designed for consistency and acceptance of common overall objectives, coordinated elaboration and selection of policy options. The policies must be coherent and easily understood. The government must mediate and intervene in differing interests to make a broad consensus.
Direction is the last Good Governance principle used in this study. Direction means that leaders have a
strategic and long- term perspective on Good Governance and development. This is accompanied by a sense of what is needed for such development. The development is achieved by structural measures and changes in the form of long-term objectives, specified rules for trade-offs, compromises and widely accepted indicators focused on sustainable development. The government focuses on the achievement of goals of the organisation and it improves its achievements by taking lessons from mistakes of experiences.
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Chapter 2: Research design
This chapter will give insight into the methodological choices made in this study. This chapter discusses primarily the research design and the causal mechanism and three related hypotheses. Then it explains the data collection and the structure of the case study. This chapter ends with an explanation of the validity and reliability of this study.
§2.1 Research Design
The actions and measures from the Dutch and U.S. government can be stated in a multitude of variations. In this study it is seen as all the actions, decisions and measures made by legislative power institutions of the government which have an effect on the gas extraction itself, on the country on the inhabitants of the country and on the companies involved in gas extraction. The actions, decisions and measures need to be made via the legislative power institutions and documented in the official documents of the government. The actions, decisions and measures could be made at the national or local level but solely the decisions on the national level are studied. Solely actions and measures on the local level are described in this study when they are effected or initiated by the national level. The studied timeframe is the period between the 16th of August 2012 and the 24th of August 2015. The date of 16th of August
2012 is chosen as start date of the study because on that very day the heaviest earthquake caused by gas extraction took place in the Netherlands. This earthquake has led to an increasing amount of political attention, which has led to changes in the gas extraction measures and decisions. On the 24th of August
2015 I started this study and that has determined the end date of the period I analysed. This end date was timeframed in relation to possible validity and credibility issues and had mainly to do with the fact that all the data is balanced and later data could interfere negatively with the study. The Dutch and U.S. government are operationalized as the legislative power. The Dutch government is further operationalized as the legislative powers of the ‘First and Second Chamber, known in the Netherlands as the ‘Eerste en Tweede Kamer’. The government of the United States is further operationalized as the Congress. Most laws, bills and resolutions influence actions and agreements of both legislative powers in the Netherlands and United States have a widespread national effect and therefore the actions and measures have a widespread effect as well.
§2.2 Causal mechanism, operationalization and hypotheses.
The actions and measures of the government in Good Governance can be driven by a multitude of factors. This study defines public trust, social well-being and economic growth as affecting factors. It can be stated that the causal mechanism of this study is that the factors public trust, social well-being and economic have an effect on the action and measures of the government on Good Governance principles. This causal mechanism leads to the formation of three hypotheses stated and argued below.
17 Van de Walle and Bouckaert state that well-functioning public services are said to induce citizens to trust the government and bad governance performance is said to create negative attitudes towards government in general (2003b:894). Their implicit reasoning was that better performing public services will lead to increased satisfaction among their users, and this will lead to more trust in government (Ibid: 892). In a different article by Van de Walle and Bouckaert is stated that it appears that more trust and more satisfaction equal a better government (2003a:330). Trust is here the reliability of the expectation that policies will correspond to one’s wishes (Ibid: 334). So it can be said, from this line of reasoning, that the public trust will have a positive effect on the actions and measures of the government in a Good Governance framework. This argumentation leads to the first hypothesis.
H1: Good Governance is positively affected by public trust.
Well-being is the absence of negative conditions and feelings and the appraisal of one’s circumstances and functioning in society (Keyes, 1998:121-122). Ott states that the quality of governance has a positive effect on happiness because of the development of wealth, safety, and healthcare and ensure a minimal level of social equality and justice (2009: 354). He also states that there is a strong relationship between Good Governance and happiness. There can be various affects involved e.g. happy lives being more apt to vote for investment in public good and less apt to show obstruct behavior. Ott states as well that happiness affects the quality of government rather than vice versa (Ibid. 364). Investment in quality of government is therefore a good way to create happiness (Ibid. 367). Helliwell and Huang state that a relationship exists between life satisfaction and government quality but also between health and government quality (2008: 612). In this line of reasoning it can be stated that there is a positive relationship between the well-being of the citizens and the actions and measures of the government in a Good Governance framework. Since the social well-being of the citizens is defined as the independent variable and Good Governance as the depended variable the following hypothesis is stated:
H2: Good Governance is positively affected by social well-being
Economic growth of the country can be defined as the long-term rise in its capacity to supply divers economic goods to the population, that the growing capacity is based on advancing technology and that the growing capacity is based on the institutional and ideological adjustments that are demanded (Kuznets, 1973: 247). Multiple authors state a relationship between the economic growth of the country and Good Governance. Helliwell and Huang state that there is an instrumental role for good government as a support for economic growth and that most components have a positive impact on this economic growth (2008: 603-605). Vyasulu and Pere both state that Good Governance practices are seen as a necessary condition and as one of the primary factors for a country’s economic development (2015 & 2015: 111 &27 ). Kahn also argues that Good Governance is an important factor for economic growth
18 (2007:27). Taken all these views and argumentation into account it can be stated that a relation exists between Good Governance and economic growth. Defining the economic growth of a country as the independent variable and the Good Governance of the government as the dependent variable the following hypothesis is stated:
H3: Good Governance is positively affected by economic growth of the Country.
The operationalization is fully stated in the tables below. First is the Good Governance as the dependent variable explained and this is followed by table 3 which determines and operationalizes the independent variables public trust, social well-being and economic growth.
Dependent Variable
Dimensions Definition Operationalization Data Sources
Good Governance
Participation principle
The public is involved and free to speak their mind and are facilitated by the government to participate in the decision-making process.
- Man and women are free to speak their mind. - No obstruction in
participation in decision-making process.
- Interaction with actors - Decisions are lawful and
made by qualified actors.
Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law Transparency principle Institutions work in an open
manner and create environments that are receptive for external influences. - Institutions work in an open manner. - Information is directly accessible and understandable. - Government is open about information - Government acts conscientious
- Creates safe environment for external influences.
Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law Accountability principle Institutions are held accountable for their actions.
- Government is held accountable. - Processes are clear - Institutions explain
wilfully, generously and regularly to all actors involved. Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law Performance principle The government is effective and efficient and it takes responsibility in defined goals. - Government is timely and meets needs of actors.
- Makes best use of resources.
- Delivers what is needed by clear defined goals. - Makes goals available
and alters them when necessary. Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law
19 - Government takes responsibility and accommodates in these goals. Policy Integration principle The decision-making process is centred on cooperative implementation. - Effective integration. - Cooperative implementation.
- Consistent and common overall objectives. - Coordinated elaboration
and selection of policy options.
- Policies are coherent and easily understood. - Government intervenes
in differing interest and makes broad consensus.
Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law Direction principle Institutions have a strategic and long-term perspective and the institution acts upon these perspectives.
- Strategic and long-term perspective
- Leaders have sense of what is needed for development.
- Structural measures and changes in long term-objectives, specified rules for trade-offs and widely accepted indicators.
- Government focuses on achievement of goals. - Government improves by
learning from mistakes.
Government policy papers, (local) Government websites, Law
Table 2: Operationalization of dependent variable Good Governance.
Independent Variable
Definition Indicators Data Sources
Public trust Trust is here the reliability of the expectation that policies will correspond to one’s wishes.
- Actors of the system act according to the expected futures.7
- Actors of the system are secure in the expected futures (Ibid.). - Mutual faithfulness (Ibid.). Government policy papers, Law Social well-being
The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.
- Health8
- Actor is part of society (Ibid.: 122)
- Actor is socially accepted (Ibid. 122)
Government policy papers, Law
7 Lewis, D. (1985),’Trust as a Social Reality’, Oxford journals, Retrieved from http://sf.oxfordjournals.org/content/63/4/967.full.pdf+html
(seen at 8 January 2016).
20 - Actor is vital member of
society (Ibid.122)
- Actor understands what is happening in their context (Ibid. 123).
Economic growth
Government delivers economic goods, that the growing capacity is based on advanced
technologies and that the
growing capacity is based on the institutional and ideological demands.
- Delivery of goods to public.9
- High rates of structural transformation. - Developing advanced technologies. Government policy papers, Law
Table 3: Operationalization of the independent variables: public trust, social well-being and economic growth.
§2.3 Explanation of the data collection
The data collection of this study is mostly based on the primary resources of the official documentation of the government and secondary resources. This means that all the data made accessible by the legislative power in both countries for all measures and decisions are taken into account in this study. Secondary resources are used to fully comprehend the context and the actions and measures itself. Once a measure, action or agreement was mentioned but not clearly stated, more research was conducted for a complete overview of the data needed. The sole use of primary and secondary sources is threefold. First the accessibility of actors involved in the rule making in the U.S. is extremely limited in the given amount of time. The use of primary and secondary sources were available and accessible throughout the entire study. Secondly the use of solely primary and sometimes secondary resources enhances the objectivity of this study. The documented data is stated objectively and was not opinionated. The third reason elaborates further on the second argument because the use of primary and secondary resources will solely strengthen the objectivity of the case study. All sources used are available for the public and to persons who are concerned with this study. With all these issues in consideration it was clear that for a reliable and valid study, solely primary and secondary resources should be used.
§2.4 Explanation of the case study
The selection process of the cases used is captivated in three components; the cases should have a similar analysing component, the cases should concern sustainable development and the cases should have a practical relevance. After careful consideration of multiple countries and careful scanning the news it was clear that the actions and measures of the Netherlands and the United States concerning the sustainable gas extraction in their countries would captivate these components. The actions and measures of both countries had gas extraction as similar analysing component and as stated previously
21 gas extraction is seen as a form of sustainable development. It became apparent that in both countries difficulties originated in 2012 with the current form of gas extraction in that country. In the Netherlands the heaviest earthquake occurred as a result of gas extraction and in the United States there was a discussion about the technique used for gas extraction (hydraulic fracturing) more information follows in the case description).
This study is defined as an explanatory comparative similar case study with a normative aspect (which is elaborated on in §2.4). This study compares two cases with one similar object namely the decisions and measures for the gas extraction in both countries. The cases are similar because both cases are concerned with gas extraction. This study provides in an in-depth study of both cases and in the analysis the two cases are compared. This comparison gives a deeper understanding and extra dimension for the policy and practical recommendations and remarks in the conclusion.
§2.5 Explanation of the validity and reliability.
In this last section of the research design the choices within this study are enlightened and therefore stipulate possible issues concerning the validity and reliability of this study. Firstly the theory development of this study should be discussed. It was previously stated that the main research question is an explanatory question but with a normative aspect. This normative aspect has mainly to do with the fact that the main theory used has a normative character. It is difficult to fully comprehend the Good Governance principles, because every institution has different definitions of what Good Governance should be. Multiple leading articles and measures made by institutions are reviewed and formed the basis of the used research criteria and therefore enhancing the reliability and validity of the study. Multiple globally known, used and studied definitions of multiple institutions were used to create the definition of the used Good Governance principles. The use of a multitude of definitions of Good Governance broadens the definition of the principles and therefore lowers the normative aspect in this study. Hence defining the concept of good governance in a broad way can lead to, what Sartori states as, conceptual stretching (1970:1034). This means that the broadening of a concept or meaning can lead to vague, amorphous conceptualizations (ibid.) which leads to the danger that the principles can be applicable in every circumstance. Conceptual stretching in this study is somewhat prevented by the sole use of leading and rather divers frameworks of Good Governance principles. The used Good Governance principles in this study are clarified in the literature review and therefore strengthens the reliability of this study. The implication of my theory development is that even taken all these choices into account, Good Governance principles will always have a normative framework. This means that the findings in this study could be interpreted entirely different by other researchers. The research approach used is to some extent content analysis. Within the documentation of the primary and secondary resources decisions, measures and actions which were taken concerning the gas extraction within that country are researched. The gas extraction could affect a wide area of possible elements like
22 the extraction itself, but also hazardous circumstances for the environment and public therefore keywords and phrases are not clearly stated in this research design. Keywords and phrases would negatively affect the comprehension of the consequences of the actions and measures of both governments.
23
Chapter 3: Casus
This chapter starts with the explanation of the principle and context of the natural gas extraction in Groningen. This will be followed by a summary of the most important decisions made by the Dutch government reviewed from every Good Governance principle. The second paragraph explains the principle and describes the context and most important actions and measures concerning Shale Gas extraction in the United States.
§3.1 Decisions about Dutch Gas extraction.
As said in the prologue of this chapter, in this paragraph the most important decisions and measures are mentioned. Each measure is categorized in the associated Good Governance principle. This paragraph first starts with an explanation of the principle and context and this is later followed by the Good Governance principles.
§3.1.1 Principle and context
The Groningen gasfield (seen in figure 1) 10 is the biggest provider of natural gas in the Netherlands.11
The gasfield lies in the Province of Groningen and is surrounded by multiple communities, namely: Appingedam, Bedum, Bellingwedde, Delfzijl, Eemsmond, Groningen (city), Haren, Hoogezand-Sappemeer, Loppersum, Menterwolde, Oldambt, Pekela, Slochteren, Ten Boer and Veendam (Kamerstukken II 2014/2015, 33529, 91). The gas extraction is the process in which gas is extracted from gas-carrying rocks. The gas of Groningen plays an important international role on the North/West
10Overheid,’Ontwerpbesluit gaswinning Groningenvel, Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Retrieved from
https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2014-7659.html (seen at 14 October 2015).
11Rijksoverheid, ’Besluit van de Minister van Economische Zaken, Instemming gewijzigd winningsplan Groningenveld’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2015/06/25/instemmingsbesluit-gewijzigd-winningsplan-groningen (seen at 14 October 2015).
24 European Gas economy. 12 The gas extraction has positive financial and economic consequences like
high gas revenues and the (nearly complete) Dutch independence on the international gas market, because it does not need to import gas from foreign countries (Ibid.). The company responsible for the gas extraction is the Dutch National Oil company (Translated in Dutch: Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij/ NAM). The gas extraction causes a decrease of pressure in the pores of gas-carrying rocks, which eventually leads to subsidence of the surface. This process can be accompanied with sudden movements of known fractures in earth plates, which will cause earthquakes.13 According to the
NAM the gas extraction causes about 50 earthquakes every year (Ibid.). The earthquake of 3.6 on the Richter Magnitude Scale on 16th August 2012 in the community Loppersum (community which
experiences the most risks), was the main reason to initiate 14 investigations by the ruling parties of the government (Ibid.)
§3.1.2 Decisions concerning the participation principle
The authority and responsibilities of the gas extraction is legally framed, in article 53, 54, 55 and 36 of the mining legislation.1415 This legislation states that the Dutch government is the legislator and licensed
authority and the NAM is the licensee and appointed legal person.16 This legislation defines that the
Minister of Economic Affairs is authorized to define the gas extraction states, the maximum extraction for the upcoming 10 years and he can appoint a legal person who is in charge of the issues, decisions and measures of the gas extraction. The Minister of Economic Affairs can also, within regulations, disapprove, refuse, adjust and confine the gas extraction settlement and plans for the sake of possible risks like earthquakes and for strategic management of resources.1718
The gas extraction does have negative effects on the region. The earthquake of 3.6 on the Richter Magnitude Scale on the 16th of August 2012 in the community Loppersum (community that experiences
the most risks), was the main reason to initiate 14 investigations.19 The NAM made it clear that it will
broadcast information about the gas extraction in the nearby surroundings of the Groningenfield and with the help of local authorities it will inform the residents of Groningen about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. 20 The ruling parties are very aware of the damages and nuisance the gas
12CPB,’ Plafond op gaswinning uit het Groningenveld is dure maatregel’, Retrieved from
http://www.cpb.nl/persbericht/329094/plafond-op-gaswinning-uit-het-groningenveld-dure-maatregel (seen at 13 October 2015).
13Rijksoverheid,’ Aardbevingen door gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/aardbevingen-in-groningen/inhoud/aardbevingen-door-gaswinning-in-groningen (seen at 13 October 2015).
14Art 53,54,55: paragraph 5.4 WRB. 15Art 36: paragraph 5.2 WRB.
16Rijksoverheid,’ Kamerbrief over de gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/Leonore/Downloads/kamerbrief-over-de-gaswinning-in-groningen%20(2).pdf (seen at 13 October 2015).
17Art 53,54,55: paragraph 5.4 WRB. 18Art 36: paragraph 5.2 WRB.
19Rijksoverheid,’ Aardbevingen door gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/aardbevingen-in-groningen/inhoud/aardbevingen-door-gaswinning-in-groningen (seen at 13 October 2015).
20Rijksoverheid, ’Gewijzigd Winningsplan Groningenveld’, Retrieved from
25 extraction has caused. That is why the ruling parties of the government have decided to some measures to prevent possible damages and why they will aim for an optimal claim handling process. 21 This
optimal claim handling means for the NAM that everyone who experienced damages due to earthquakes will be compensated (Ibid.). Complaints about the claim handling will be taken into investigation by an independent advisor of gas extraction in Groningen (Ibid.) the consent decree/board decision of January 2014 on gas extraction was made available for perusal between the 14th of March and the 14th of April.
This was made known to the public on the 13th of March by the National Journal (translated in Dutch:
Staatscourant) and by divers regional newspapers (Kamerstukken II 2014/2015, 33529, 91). About 720 civilians and several organisations have taken the opportunity to respond on the decree (Kamerstukken II 2013/2014, 33529, 60). The final gas consent decree was presented in December 2014 because it took the ministry longer to respond to all the questions (Ibid.). An arrangement was also made between the Government, the Province of Groningen and nine communities in January 2014. All parties wanted a faith restoring approach on which an ongoing dialogue between all parties were to take place. The solution was to initiate a dialogue table. This table is burdened with the task to play an essential role in the design and development of this arrangement. It was given the necessary authority to rule and to defend the interests of the inhabitants of the region when and where necessary (Kamerstukken II 2013/2014, 33529, 59). The local dialogue table of Groningen initiated a window of viability. The inhabitants of the hazardous areas and communities can apply for a 10.000 euro fund for the vitalization of their community.22 This arrangement also initiated the position of a National Coordinator Groningen
for a period of five years (Ibid.); he is burdened with the task to strengthen the security and liveability in the Province of Groningen via the organisation of the public opinion. He will be leading the government’s service in Groningen. In the consent decree is stated that the National Coordinator Groningen will fall under the responsibility of the Minister of Economic Affairs. Some commissions were also initiated such as the commission to deal with the most harrowing cases for inhabitants for whom the measures were not applicable in April 2014 (Kamerstukken II 2013/2014, 33529, 28). In December 2014 the Minister appointed a supervision commission to oversee the CVW (Kamerstukken II 2014/2015, 33529, 91). He also appointed Commission Meijdam, which will advise the Minister over the risks, how to handle these risks and the alternative approaches of the precautionary strengthening of houses and buildings (Kamerstukken II 2014/2015, 33529, 174).23
21Rijksoverheid,’ Aardbevingen door gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/aardbevingen-in-groningen/inhoud/aardbevingen-door-gaswinning-in-groningen (seen at 13 October 2015).
22Rijksoverheid,’ Kamerbrief over de gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/Leonore/Downloads/kamerbrief-over-de-gaswinning-in-groningen%20(2).pdf (seen at 13 October 2015)
23Rijksoverheid,’ Kamerbrief besluit gaswinning Groningen in 2015’, Retrieved form
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2015/06/23/kamerbrief-besluit-gaswinning-groningen-in-2015 (seen at 12 October 2015).
26 §3.1.3 Decisions concerning the transparency principle
As said in the previous paragraph all decisions concerning the gas extraction measures and action have a legal basis in the article 55, 54, 53 and 36 of the Mining legislation.2425 They give the Minister of
Economic Affairs the authority to make decisions concerning gas extraction (Ibid.). Such as the gas extraction states, the extraction maximum and the appointment of a legal person in charge. Another form of legislation was the NPR standard (the National Practice Directive) (Kamerstukken II 2015/2016, 33529, 200).26 This standard was incorporated in the new safety regulations in 2015 for new and existing
houses. In April 2015 the judge decreed that the NAM may not extract more gas from the Loppersum cluster than necessary to keep the wells open and there may only be more gas extracted if all other clusters are almost dry (Kamerstukken II 2014/2015,33529,144). The institutions are open about the gas revenues which amount to 13 billion euros each year from which 10 billion euros is originated from the Groningen gasfield. This gas extraction amount has positive financial consequences like high gas revenues and the (nearly complete) Dutch independence on the international gas market.27 The gas
extraction would be stopped once it is seen as financially not viable or once unforeseen circumstances will have negative consequences.28 The Government is open about the uncertainty concerning questions
like when the surface will stir as a result of the gas extraction (Ibid.)
The Minister introduced the production limit to promote the use of little gasfields. In 2005 the limit was fixed for the period of 2006-2015 on 425 m3 billion gas in 10 years. This meant that about 42.5 billion m3 gas could be extracted within a year. In the period 2006-2010 the NAM only extracted 189 m3 billions of gas which meant that in the period 2010-2015 212.5 m3 of gas could be extracted. This had the effect that more than the stated 42.5 m3 billions of gas could be extracted every year.29 The
government is also open about the gas extraction settlement. In the gas extraction settlement the NAM defines in detail what the actions and plans concern the gas extraction and actions and/or measures to possible prevent, change or reduce additional risks. The NAM concluded in their gas extraction settlement that transparency and neutrality are vital in a monitoring process and that supervision of an independent authority is necessary and should be appointed.30 In their settlement they stated that their
main goal was to minimize and equal scatter the pressure throughout the gasfield. When it became clear for the government that there were multiple negative consequences of gas extraction they initiated 14
24Art 53,54,55: paragraph 5.4 WRB. 25Art 36: paragraph 5.2 WRB.
26Rijksoverheid,’ Aardbeving bestendig bouwen’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/aardbevingen-in-groningen/inhoud/aardbevingsbestendig-bouwen (seen at 11 October 2015).
27CPB,’ Plafond op gaswinning uit het Groningenveld is dure maatregel’, Retrieved from
http://www.cpb.nl/persbericht/329094/plafond-op-gaswinning-uit-het-groningenveld-dure-maatregel (seen at 13 October 2015).
28Rijksoverheid, ‘Gewijzigd Winningsplan Groningenveld’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2014/01/17/winningsplan-groningen-wijziging-2013 (seen at 10 October 2015).
29Rijksoverheid, ’Beantwoording vragen over de gaswinning in Groningen’, Retrieved from
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2014/01/17/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-de-gaswinning-in-groningen (seen at 12 October 2015).
30Rijksoverheid, ‘Gewijzigd Winningsplan Groningenveld’, Retrieved from
