"There is no alternative to building onshore gas infrastructure facilities," Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau told the Energy and Environment Conference today, referring to a gas terminal for the offshore Tamar gas field. "This is a process that requires taking decisions that are not always popular. There is no energy independence without infrastructure facilities. That's the price we pay."
Last year, the Ministry of National Infrastructures failed to obtain approval of the National Planning and Building Commission for the construction of a gas terminal at the Dor beach near Hadera. Landau said that this decision forced the ministry to take "illogical decisions".
The National Planning and Building Commission rejected the plan for an onshore gas terminal in an 11:9 vote, after the Ministry of Environmental Protection's member on the commission switched sides and voted with representatives of local authorities and environmental organizations.
Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan told the Energy and Environment Conference that although the decision cost the government $150 million, he was at peace with it. "I am proud that the Ministry of Environmental Protection voted against. It can be said that our vote was the deciding vote," he said.
"When allowing a venture to plan a national outline plan on an issue that it might have huge economic importance to Israel rather than having the state decide… I know that it's better that there should be no gas terminals. The government, not the developer, should decide this hierarchy. I hope that now, after all the options are being reviewed, including an offshore gas terminal, we will get gas as fast as possible at minimal damage to the environment and vistas."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 7, 2011
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