02.02.2012                      09.Schwat. 5772

Energieversorgung II:

Ministers trade blame over possible power-outs

Energy and Water Resources Minister asks Environmental Protection Minister to ok IEC to use the alternative fuel, even though it pollutes the environment much more than natural gas.

Even though Israel could face power-outs if the Israel Electric Corp. loses its reliable supply of natural gas, the Environment Ministry has been adamant in refusing to let it use heavy fuel oil (mazut ). Under the circumstances, Energy and Water Resources Minister Uzi Landau has asked Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan to free the IEC to use the alternative fuel, even though it pollutes the environment much more than natural gas. It's even worse, environmentally speaking and also from the perspective of the public's health, than diesel.
The Environmental Protection Ministry has allowed the IEC to use some heavy fuel oil, but has refused to increase the quota. However, Landau says, the alternative is blackouts. He has also blamed the rising price of electricity on the Environmental Protection Ministry in the past. The minister has also spoken out against environmental objections to building a new coal-fired power plant….