(haipo) The National Planning and Building Council discussed the request of the ZANZ to be exempt from a building permit for the construction of a new distillate tank, in place of the tank damaged in the Roar of the Lion War. At the end of the discussion, stages and conditions were determined for the demolition of the damaged tank, in parallel with the promotion of the construction of the new tank. The Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection demands that the procedure be based on addressing the existing hazards and presenting an alternative to closing the complex.
Union demands: Addressing hazards and examining the overall picture
The Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection demands that, as part of the procedure, a binding response be given to the damaged tank, to the emissions from it, to the treatment of the soil, and to the existing environmental damage in the complex. The association emphasizes that it is not possible to advance specific approvals for the continuation of industrial activity in the complex, without simultaneously examining the overall picture and the need to reduce industrial activity in the bay. The association further emphasizes that the BNW is the main cause of air pollution in the Haifa Bay, and that the continued operation of the complex constitutes a significant environmental, security, and energy risk. Therefore, the association's position is that the government must promote a systematic plan to cease BNW activity and close the complex, alongside creating national alternatives that will ensure Israel's energy security.
Energy alternatives and reducing dependence on the complex
The union notes that energy security does not require the continued operation of the ZEN complex in its current form, and certainly cannot justify increasing infrastructure in the complex without a re-examination of the cumulative risks. According to the union, well-established, safe, and decentralized alternatives for the energy sector must be examined, while reducing dependence on a high-risk industrial complex in the heart of a populated area. The current discussion joins a series of procedures that ZEN has advanced in the complex: In August last year, a request was discussed to repair pipeline damage and install steam boilers, and later the National Council approved an exemption from the permit to build a power plant. According to the union, during the discussion on the power plant, alternatives were presented, including renewable energies, power lines, and storage facilities, but they were not sufficiently examined.
Carcinogenic substance abnormalities and repeated benzene incidents
The Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection notes that during the pipeline work in August last year, three abnormalities of carcinogenic substances were measured in the vicinity of the social high school in Kiryat Ata. In addition, during the past month, 130 benzene incidents were recorded at the benzene plants, at concentrations that required the plant to activate an emergency team. In recent days, abnormalities have been measured both at the social high school in Kiryat Ata and at Kishon Park, but the emergency teams at the plant have been unable to locate the source of the emissions. This data reinforces the association's position that expansion of industrial activity in the complex should not be promoted without addressing the existing hazards and the cumulative risks.
"The government must promote a systematic plan to close the prison"
Deputy and Acting Mayor of Haifa and Chairman of the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection, Avihu Hahn, said: "The discussion once again illustrated the need to stop examining industrial activity in the Gulf through spot permits, but to see the overall picture. The BNEF is a major source of air pollution in the Gulf and also poses a significant security and energy risk. Energy security is an important goal, but it cannot come at the expense of the health and safety of the Gulf's residents. The government must promote an orderly plan to close the BNEF and, at the same time, develop alternatives that will ensure Israel's energy needs without continued dependence on this dangerous complex."
"It is not possible to expand activities without addressing the hazards"
Director General of the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection, Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman, She said: "The data we receive from the monitoring system requires continued professional examination of the sources of emissions. When abnormalities are measured, the factory's responsibility is to identify the source, understand their cause and ensure that they are addressed. Industrial activity in the complex cannot be expanded or continued without addressing the existing hazards and the cumulative risks. Along with the immediate treatment of the hazards, a long-term vision of ceasing industrial activity in the bay and moving to safer alternatives must be promoted." The union announced that it will continue to work with planning institutions and regulators to ensure that decisions regarding industrial activity in Haifa Bay are made on the basis of complete environmental information, while examining the risks and protecting public health.
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There is no alternative to the septic tank and the tank that replaces the damaged tank is not considered an increase or addition.
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A senior official at the BAZN told me - they received a promise that they would not vacate until the construction of a replacement facility is completed (10 years of construction) and there is no headquarters work at all to find a location (each government will roll over to the next). In short, they will not vacate even in 2050. Forget all the propaganda of "a district plan has been approved.. a future employment complex has been approved.." Everything in the BAZN actually has a promise for another 20 years there. And that's it, we are buried with them. They built a 1 billion shekel infrastructure tunnel for them and are building fuel and chemical docks for them in the Chinese port. In short, they are blatantly lying to the general public and working to strengthen the polluting petrochemical industry. They told us that in 2050 they would dismantle old tanks, but they did not say that they were building 2 new ones in the middle of the complex. They are lying.
Bazan is poisoning the vision of the babies and children growing up in Kiryat Ata and the surrounding area...and there is no excuse here...a lot of talk...when will they enforce real enforcement against them, when will they be kicked out to areas where they can't harm babies and children?
Instead of going along with Bazan to solve the problems and continuing with Bazan to improve the situation in Haifa and health, the politicians surprisingly decide to be populist and blame Bazan without any scientific basis. With the money saved from moving Bazan to another location, it will go to environmental investments in Haifa and the Gulf and adding smart industries to the region. Everyone will come out on top.
You're not ashamed. You have hurt people on your hands. You'll move everything to the desert, damn it. Just show yourself a little humanity.
What is this madness? After years, they destroyed the ammonia tank! Finally, there is no distillate tank... waiting for the evacuation of the ZAN - there are countless decisions! Why suddenly build a new tank? They are making fun of the citizens of Haifa Bay!
The Haifa Municipality is disconnected from reality as usual and throws slogans into the air instead of facts, not to mention alternatives. A bear is not eternal, refusing to see the big picture – the energy sector, employment, time to clean up the land and Israel's isolated situation on various fronts.
Haifa. Wake up and start fixing the roads first, removing the trash from the streets and making sure that all the young people don't run away from here.