ACM: revised procedure for removing natural-gas connections safely

For a safe natural-gas network, it is important that natural-gas connections of consumers and other small-scale users that are not in use are removed by the system operator. That is why the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), in agreement with the system operators, has revised the procedure for removing such natural-gas connections. Therefore, households and other small-scale users do not need to pay for the removal of their natural-gas connections.

ACM will implement this revised procedure because, following a ruling by the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb), households should actually have to pay for the costs if they explicitly filed requests for the removal of their natural-gas connections, whereas they do not need to pay for the costs of removal activities if a connection is removed because it has not been used for over a year. ACM finds this an undesirable situation as it is confusing and creates safety risks. For example, the status of natural-gas connections may be unclear during excavation works.

The new procedure will come into effect on February 1, 2024. Households that wish to make their homes gas-free can inform their suppliers from what date they wish to terminate their contracts for natural gas. With regard to these cancellations, the same rules apply that already apply to cancellations of contracts. For example, a 30-day notice period applies, and an early-termination fee may need to be paid when a fixed contract is cancelled. Households can subsequently visit the website mijnaansluiting.nl and inform their system operators that they no longer wish to use their natural-gas connections from that same date. The system operators will then ensure that the natural-gas connections are removed for safety reasons. The system operators will plan these removal activities themselves so that they are able to combine these activities with other planned work as much as possible. Households and other small-scale users do not need to pay for these activities.

If consumers wish to have their natural-gas connections removed on a specific date (for example, because of renovation work), they can still file requests for removal with their system operators. The system operator will then plan the removal activites in consultation with the consumer in question. However, as these removal activities are requested by the consumer, they will have to pay for the removal activities. If it is not necessary to have a connection removed on a specific date, it is best to have the connection removed for free and for safety reasons at a time chosen by the system operator.

The removal of unused natural-gas connections is a safety requirement that has been implemented on the advice of safety regulator State Supervision of Mines (SodM). If natural-gas connections are left unused for an extended period of time, the risk of damage during excavation works is higher. Any leaks that may consequently occur are not just dangerous to the household in question, but also to their neighbors. Natural-gas connections are part of the natural-gas network, and system operators are charged with the statutory duty to ensure natural-gas networks are safe. The costs that system operators incur in that context are covered by the transport tariffs, just like all other costs related to the management of the natural-gas network. Households and other small-scale users that wish “to go gas-free” pay those transport tariffs until they no longer use their connections.

ACM finds it important that the rules regarding the removal of natural-gas connections are explicitly laid down in the new Energy Act and in thereto-related regulations. In that context, the distribution of the removal costs is a key point of attention. ACM also has discussions with the system operators and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) about this issue. The Ministry of EZK recently published for public consultation the Energy Decision in which this can be incorporated.