The Ministry of Environmental Protection held a public hearing yesterday (28/01) on the draft amendment to the emission permit for the Orot Rabin power station in Hadera, at the offices of the Sharon-Carmel Cities Association for Environmental Affairs in Hadera. Dozens of residents from the Sharon-Carmel region participated in the hearing and expressed their concern about the continued pollution from coal-fired electricity generation.
The hearing was attended by the Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman, Ministry Director General Rami Rosen, Director General of the Ministry of Energy Yossi Dayan, Senior Deputy Director General for Industries at the Ministry of Environmental Protection Avi Haim, Director of the Air Pollution and Asbestos Prevention Department at the Ministry Reut Rabi, Director of the Ministry’s Haifa District Dorit Ziss, Chairman of the Sharon-Carmel Cities Association for Environmental Affairs and Head of the Local Council of Zichron Yaakov Eli Abutbul, Mayor of Hadera Nir Ben Haim, Association Director General Nir Sahar and the Association’s professional team. Also participating were the heads of the local authorities affiliated with the Association: Ilan Sade – Menashe, Azuri Sharony – Elyachin, Aryeh Sharon – Alona, Gil Hanania – Binyamina Givat Ada, Chizki Sivak – Acting Head of the Emek Hefer Regional Council, Shlomo Buzaglo – Deputy Mayor of Hadera, Ron Shegen – Hadera City Council Member and Chairman of the Environmental Quality Committee, Chagit Yachazkeli – Environmental Project Manager at Hadera Municipality, Nurit Miron – Director of the Environmental Quality Department at Netanya Municipality, Yael Cohen Paran – Council Member and Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee Pardes Hanna-Karkur, Ali Jaser – CEO of Jat, Sami Ghara – Public Representative, Environmental Quality Committee Jat, Mahmoud Agbaria – Director of the Municipal Services Unit Jisr az-Zarqa.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection presented the main changes expected in the existing emission permit during the hearing. The Israel Electric Corporation requested changes to the permit, following an update in the Minister of Energy’s policy stating that the old and polluting Units 1-4 are required as backup for the electricity grid. After examining the request and in light of the economy’s needs and security risks, the Ministry of Environmental Protection determined in the draft permit amendment that the units would be allowed to operate only in extreme emergency situations, and that for this purpose, one quarterly operational readiness test would be permitted for each unit. Emergency situations include war events, disruption of natural gas supply, and natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis.
The permit amendment is another step towards the end of the coal era. In recent years, the actions of the Ministry, authorities, and the public have already led to an approximately 70% reduction in the use of coal for electricity generation.
Idit Silman, Minister of Environmental Protection: “We are determined to end Israel’s dependence on polluting coal, for the benefit of public health and the environment. The emission permit under discussion is a critical step in aligning with advanced global standards, while ensuring the transition to clean and renewable energies. We will not compromise on the air quality of the residents of Hadera and the region, and our policy remains consistent: maximum energy security with minimum pollution.”
During the lively discussion, the public was given the opportunity to comment on the draft amendment to the emission permit, which was published for public comment. Senior energy sector officials present at the hearing presented the challenges of electricity supply and the necessity of continuing to preserve the units for a period of three years, while addressing the public’s call for a complete cessation of coal use and the protection of their health.
Rami Rosen, Director General of the Ministry of Environmental Protection: “The draft permit we presented to the public legally and clearly anchors the use of old Units 1-4 for emergency purposes only and a transition to cleaner production. The comments heard during the discussion will be carefully considered, with the aim of ensuring that the final permit will be stringent and protect the public in the best possible way.”
Nir Ben Haim, Mayor of Hadera: “We demand an end to the coal era in Hadera. The Orot Rabin power station supplies about 30% of the country’s electricity, and for years the residents of Hadera have supported the State of Israel, but it is unacceptable that we continue to pay with the health and quality of life of our residents. Government decisions and commitments made to the public must be honored, and the polluting coal Units 1-4 must be closed, without any leniency in the emission permit that prolongs the pollution. We will continue to lead a determined, transparent, and public-partnership struggle until the residents of Hadera and the region can breathe clean air and live in a healthier environment.”
Eli Abutbul, Chairman of the Sharon-Carmel Cities Association for Environmental Affairs and Head of the Zichron Yaakov Local Council: “The Association represents hundreds of thousands of residents in the region who already bear a heavy environmental and health burden. The public is making it clear: enough pollution. Coal Units 1-4 at the Orot Rabin power station, which are among the most polluting sources in Israel and are responsible for ongoing harm to public health, must be closed immediately. The responsibility of government representatives is to listen to the voices of the residents, act based on professional data, and stop advancing decisions that deepen the harm to the region. If our position is rejected, we are currently formulating a lawsuit on behalf of the Association and its member authorities against the Israel Electric Corporation on behalf of the residents. We will continue to act with determination, together with the local authorities, to protect public health and quality of life – today and in the future.”
Nir Sahar, Director General of the Cities Association for Environmental Affairs: “We oppose the continued operation of the old coal Units 1-4 at the Orot Rabin power station. These are outdated and polluting facilities that constitute a severe environmental and health hazard, and are responsible, according to the Ministry of Health, for severe morbidity and mortality of dozens of residents each year.
“The pollution data illustrates the severity of the situation: the Sharon-Carmel region already leads Israel in air pollutant emissions, with rates significantly higher than other industrial areas. Added to this is a heavy health and economic cost, estimated at billions of shekels per year.
“The Association warns that the draft amendment to the emission permit being promoted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection – which includes the possibility of operation in emergency situations and regulatory leniencies – effectively means extending the lifespan of the polluting units, contrary to the public interest and the health of the residents.”
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Sharon-Carmel Cities Association attach great importance to public participation in the process and welcome the participants who attended the important hearing. The Ministry will consider the written comments received and the comments raised by the public during the hearing, will update the permit, and will publish it according to law.
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