Israel’s fuel leak threat

Are Israel's four major energy companies flouting environmental laws? Judging by the drawn-out struggle waged by the Ministry of Environmental Protection against Paz, Sonol, Dor Alon and Delek, the answer is “yes.” While the Ministry is struggling to deal with massive soil and groundwater pollution discovered more than 10 years ago at gas stations nationwide, new reports from the past two years show that leaks and pollution are still occurring. In December 2010, criminal charges were filed against Israel's four major energy companies and their executive management, alleging intentional suppression of findings from periodic tests showing soil and groundwater contamination on a massive scale, in the years 2000-2004. According to the bill of indictment, not only have the companies polluted the water, they allegedly attempted to cover up the transgression and failed to duly report faulty underground storage tanks and pipes, thereby preventing contamination tests. The Ministry of Environmental Protection claims that such actions were motivated by the aim to save millions of shekels, which the companies would have to pay for soil testing and decontamination. Meanwhile, reports by the companies themselves as well as additional documentation indicate that the gas stations were still leaking contaminants into the soil and groundwater while prevention and treatment efforts were lagging. Leaks at 200 gas stations At the same time, in December 2010 the Technion submitted a report to the Ministry which painted a disconcerting picture of the manner in which gas stations were handling the situation. The report claims that the stations still have numerous faults and the full information required to treat the problem is not being disclosed. According to the report, revealed for the first time by Calcalist, only 38% of the gas stations have been found clean of contamination. As for the rest of the stations, data was either unobtainable or unavailable due to the lack of testing since the last tests five years ago. Some 200 gas stations across Israel, out of a total of some 1,500, were leaking, the report said. A report authored by the Water Authority's department for the prevention of water pollution concerning health hazards from gasoline leaks specifies that "Gasoline components are categorized as toxic and carcinogenic and potentially harmful to the central nervous system, immune system and might reduce fertility." Gas companies respond Sonol issued the following statement in response to the report: "The report is from two years ago and specifies gas stations which were believed to have leaks. The stations that were found to have leaks were treated and currently only a handful of leaking stations remain and they will be dealt with in the near future. Sonol adheres to the Ministry of Environmental Protection's directives and invests much effort in these areas." Paz declined comment, although in its 2011 reports, the company indicated that it estimates the report will not have a substantial impact on its financial results and that legal advisors claims that "the greatest risk are fines which are insubstantial to the company." Delek Israel issued the following statement: "Already in 2008, the company had initiated regulated testing and cleanup efforts in its long-time stations as part of our social and environmental responsibility policies and is spearheading comprehensive testing. According to up-to-date reports as of 2012, there are no leaks in the company’s gas stations.” Original article published by Calcalist Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter