The National Planning and Building Commission today approved by a large majority the planning committee's recommendations to authorize two possible sites for the northern gas terminals, which will receive natural gas from the Leviathan field. One site is near Israel Electric Corporation's (IEC) Hagit Power Station near Yokne'am, and the other is by the Meretz Sewage Treatment Plant by Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh in the Hefer Valley on the northern coastal plain.
The two sites will now undergo a comprehensive environmental survey, after which the National Planning and Building Commission will make its final decision. The northern gas terminals are due to begin operating in 2015 when gas deliveries from Leviathan are scheduled to start.
Today's vote came after a stormy discussion, during which local authority heads each tried to shove the terminal onto their neighbors. Minister of Energy and Water Resources Uzi Landau made an unannounced appearance at the meeting, and said, "These facilities are strategically important for Israel's energy independence. Without construction of another gas terminal, Israel will be vulnerable to severe economic damage if gas flow from the only pipeline from the Tamar field is halted."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 27, 2012
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