Israel Approves New Gas Power Plant in Polluted Ashdod Amid Environmentalist Opposition
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The Israeli government approved a preliminary plan for a new natural gas power plant in Ashdod on October 6, despite environmental concerns. The project, initiated by Energy Minister Eli Cohen, faces opposition from environmental groups and local authorities who cite the area's high pollution levels and health risks. Opponents argue the plant will worsen air quality and hinder national pollution reduction efforts. The Ministry of Energy stated the decision is for planning only and all environmental issues will be addressed, while a similar proposal elsewhere was postponed.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's government approved a preliminary plan for a new natural gas power plant in Ashdod on October 6.
- The decision faces strong opposition from environmental groups and local authorities due to existing pollution.
- The northern industrial zone of Ashdod is already a major source of air pollution and health concerns.
- Environmentalists advocate for renewable energy and storage instead of new fossil fuel power plants.
- The Ministry of Energy states the approval is for planning and environmental issues will be addressed.
The Israeli government approved on Tuesday, October 6, a preliminary project for a new natural gas power plant in Ashdod, despite objections from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and local authorities. The decision, initiated by Energy Minister Eli Cohen, comes after the government endorsed a national air pollution reduction program for the Ashdod area in June. This approval is for project planning, not construction, and requires further review by the National Infrastructure Committee.
Opponents argue the plant will further burden one of Israel's most polluted regions. The northern industrial zone of Ashdod, home to heavy industry and a port, is already the country's top emitter of volatile organic compounds and second highest in nitrogen oxides and suspected carcinogens, according to 2024 emissions data. A 2017-2022 Health Ministry report indicated higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses in nearby communities, and thousands of resident complaints about odors and air pollution have been filed in the past two years.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection warned that the new plant would worsen air quality and jeopardize the national pollution reduction program, especially as other energy and industrial projects are planned for the area. The municipality of Yavne also opposed the project, citing residents' breathing difficulties and eye irritation, and demanding the plant be assessed alongside all existing and planned pollution sources.
Shai Reichner, chairman of the Ashdod-Hevel-Yavne environmental association, noted that the region already produces 14% of Israel's electricity with only 4% of its population. He criticized the move, stating, "You cannot reduce pollution with one hand and add a power plant with the other." Environmental organizations also raised concerns about the vulnerability of large power plants to missile attacks and advocated for distributed renewable energy generation and storage instead.
The Ministry of Energy stated the decision only greenlights preliminary planning to meet national electricity demands, assuring that all environmental and urban planning issues will be addressed. The ministry also mentioned its participation in the Ashdod pollution reduction program. Meanwhile, a similar proposal for a power plant at Park Palmachim was postponed due to protests from residents and the Gan Raveh Regional Council, led by Mira Ben-Ari, who demanded professional assessment and public involvement.
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