The ministry claims that three energy companies delayed fuel fumes reclamation systems.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has filed indictments against Israel's three large energy companies, Paz Oil Company Ltd. (TASE:PZOL), Delek Israel Fuel Corporation Ltd. (TASE: DLKIS), and Sonol Israel Ltd. and against executives at the companies, for delaying the installation of fuel fume reclamation systems at the companies' fuel depots in Haifa. The lack of these facilities causes air pollution and exposes employees to toxic gases.
The indictments state that, in April 2003, the Ministry of Environmental Protection ordered the companies to comply with EU standards for reducing benzene emissions at fuel terminals. Benzene fumes contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens, as well as hazardous ground-level ozone.
The companies asked the ministry to delay installation of the system until August 2005, which the ministry agreed to. However, the companies failed to comply with the deadline, even with the two-year postponement.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 18, 2008
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