Gasunie and LTO Nederland have reached an agreement in principle. Agreements have also been made about the compensation that farmers must receive for the construction of pipelines in or on their land. The biggest change is that agreements are no longer for an indefinite period of time.
Previous talks between the trade association and Gasunie were stuck, because the demands from the LTO side could not be met. The discussion about the conditions resumed after the summer. On Thursday 9 January, LTO Nederland reports that an agreement in principle has been reached that will be further elaborated in the near future.
"Farmers and horticulturists are entitled to a decent compensation for damages and cooperation when pipelines are laid through their country. With this agreement in principle we express our confidence in Gasunie. Not only in the setting of rates, but also in the way how we interact with each other when laying pipelines," said Alfred Jansen, portfolio holder Lease and Safety at LTO Nederland.
Agreement for 35 years
The main advantage, according to Jansen, is that agreements are now valid for a period of 35 years and no longer for an indefinite period. The agreement in principle also describes any commercial shared use and methods for determining damage are described. Furthermore, the entrance fee set for 2019.
The rates are exclusively intended for Gasunie's natural gas pipelines and not for commercial pipeline operators. Different fees apply for commercial administrators. Other utility companies, such as water boards and drinking water companies can submit a request to LTO to use the Gasunie tariffs.
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