Haifa Bay Association Monitors Bazan Facility Shutdown Amid Flare Activity
The Haifa Bay Environmental Association is monitoring a sudden shutdown at a Bazan facility, which is expected to cause elevated emissions and flaring. Officials demand answers after the company withheld maintenance plans.
The Haifa Bay Municipal Association for Environmental Protection is monitoring an incident at the Bazan (Oil Refineries) facilities after the company reported that one of its units has initiated a shutdown process. According to the report, this process is expected to cause a rise in continuous monitoring readings at the facility stack, alongside increased flare activity.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the event stems from a malfunction or a planned maintenance procedure approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. This uncertainty persists because Bazan refused to provide the association with details of the maintenance plan required to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
The company stated that the circumstances are currently under review and efforts are underway to restore operations to routine. Bazan added that a detailed report will be submitted in accordance with the requirements of its emission permit.
Avihu Hahn, Deputy and Acting Mayor of Haifa and Chairman of the association, sharply criticized the company: "Bazan is the most polluting facility in the Haifa Bay area. We also demand the involvement of the Ministry of Environmental Protection to impose the necessary controls and procedures on this plant so that it significantly reduces pollution." He added, "What has been happening at this facility in recent months is simply a scandal, endangering public health. It is time for regulators to end this saga and advance the processes required to close Bazan."
Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman, CEO of the association, explained: "The expected rise in monitoring values and increased flare activity require a professional examination of emission data. Without receiving the maintenance plan, it is impossible to determine whether this is a malfunction or planned activity." She noted that the association will continue to monitor the data and assess the event's impact on air quality.
