Former ILA chief to examine onshore gas terminals

The National Planning and Building Commission has appointed Gideon Witkon to examine opposition to natural gas terminals in Emek Hefer and Yokne’am.

The National Planning and Building Commission has appointed Gideon Witkon to investigate the opposition to the National Outline plan to establish natural gas terminals in Emek Hefer and Yokne’am. Sources inform ''Globes'' that Witkon, who previously headed the Israel Land Authority, has already consulted with some of the parties involved in the controversial plan. The National Outline plan for the terminals is expected to receive 2,000 objections, most from of residents of communities adjacent to the sites where the facilities are planned. The process of reviewing the objections is expected to take 3-4 weeks, after which Witkon will submit his recommendations to the National Commission. Prime Minister's Office Director General Harel Locker is personally overseeing the progress of the plan, in accordance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s instructions.

The natural gas terminal plan (TAMA 37) is considered vital to the economy because all the natural gas used by Israel Israel is currently conveyed via one single pipeline. The planning team hired by the Ministry of Interior, under architect Gideon Lerman, recommended two sites suitable for the construction of onshore gas terminals to the National Planning and Building Commission: one near the wastewater treatment facility in Emek Hefer, and one near the Israel Electric Corporation power plant at Hagit. The opposition, led by Emek Hefer Regional Council Mayor Rani Idan, claims that the plan is based on an outdated concept, and that recent technological developments obviate the need for the establishment of offshore facilities for gas, and liquid fuel derivatives. Opponents say that there is no economic or engineering-based reason preventing all gas processing from being carried out in offshore facilities.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 29, 2014

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2014

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