In win for environment, Israel won’t issue new oil shale exploration permits

The Israeli government announced on Tuesday that it would no longer issue permits for oil shale exploration, a move that was welcomed by environmentalists. The decision applies to both drilling, as well as open cast mining.

The decision came in light of the government's commitment to clean energy.

Existing licenses will not be renewed, and any future license requests would be judged by environmental criteria drawn up by the Environmental Protection Ministry.

The Society for the Protection of Nature, which has campaigned to have oil shale stopped, welcomed the decision, saying the industry caused “serious environmental harm, which has no place in Israel.”

Environmentalists in Israel still feel that the government needs to go further and ban any such licenses, no matter the circumstances.

Oil shale is considered the dirtiest kind of oil that exists, polluting not only as a finished product, but in the entire process of extraction.

Read more about it here.


Off to enjoy the clean air of the Atlantic Ocean, till next time!


J