Meged oil field, in Israel.
Last week two environmental representatives were added to Israel’s Petroleum Council, according to the Jerusalem Post. The council has been restructured to include a total of 13 members, including seven members of the public. As Israel’s ongoing court dispute between government officials and national gas distributors proves, the industry has a local history of disregarding public interest for financial gain – look to our past story on polluting gas stations. Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan praised the recent decision, saying: “Finally environmental considerations will be incorporated into the distribution of drilling licenses and tenders for the exploration and production of petroleum.”
When massive deposits of natural gas, 6.5 times the size of Tel Aviv, were discovered in Israel’s territorial waters it changed Israel’s future.
The tiny nation must unravel the challenge of mining newfound natural resources without causing environmental degradation that would negatively impact its populace. We think adding environmental and public representatives are a small step in the right direction.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Author: Leigh Cuen
Leigh Cuen is a freelance journalist currently reporting from Israel. She has written for the Earth Island Journal, the San Francisco Public Press, the Palestinian News Network, J. weekly newspaper and the Women News Network. Follow her @La__Cuen.
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