Zalul : ISRAEL’S LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION WARNS 12 INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES TO EXPECT PROTESTS OVER BUILDING CONTROVERSIAL INCINERATOR

ISRAEL’S LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION WARNS 12 INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES TO EXPECT PROTESTS OVER BUILDING CONTROVERSIAL INCINERATOR

Zalul, the nation’s leading environmental advocacy organization for seas and rivers, notified 12 leading international corporations interested in building Israel’s first large-scale incinerator, that it would carefully monitor how they safeguarded the environment and to expect considerable legal and public protests if they move forward with the project.

The letters were sent to Joe Giannone, chief operating officer of Infilco Degremont U.S. (NYSE: SZE) in Richmond, VA and Bob Boucher, chief executive officer of Synagro (NASDAQ: SYGR) in Houston, TX. The other companies receiving notifications included: BAMAG of Butzbach and Lurgi of Frankfurt, in Germany; Severn Trent Water of Birmingham and Degremont of Dunstable, in the U.K.; SGS of Geneva, Switzerland; Veolia (NYSE: VE) of Paris, France; and Zorlu Group of Bursa, Turkey. Three Israeli companies were also on the list, including: Zur Shamir Holdings of Tel Aviv (TASE: ZUR), Housing and Construction Holdings Company of Ramat Gan (TASE: HUCN), Yehuda Shtang and Sons of Petah Tikva (TASE: STNG) and Electra Ltd. of Rishon Le-Zion (TASE: ELTR).

The companies had expressed an interest in building a sludge incineration facility at the Dan Sewage Treatment Facility near Rishon Letzion outside Tel Aviv.

“Out of responsibility and commitment to proper disclosure, and out of true and sincere volition to enable organizations such as yours to operate transparently in the State of Israel with fair and complete financial security, we would like to bring to your attention that building an incinerator using the guidelines put forth in the plans stirs up strong objections from many prominent environmental organizations in Israel (including Zalul). It is unacceptable and dangerous to the inhabitants surrounding the area, and the neighboring municipal authorities,” wrote Zalul Managing Director Yariv Abramovich, Esq.

“Our concerns are accompanied by legal, urban planning, environmental and conceptual objections to the incinerator. The details outlined in the tender are problematic, and of grave concern. These environmental issues are liable to undermine the establishment of the incinerator,” he added. “Additionally, due to our experience, we assume that because of this public, legal and urban planning protest, many appeals will be submitted. These appeals will object to the plans on which the incinerator's construction depends. Substantial legal proceedings will probably take place regarding this issue, and public opposition to the incinerator project will probably strengthen.”

Abramovich did say in the letter he believed the intention of companies participating in the incinerator tender is sincere and that preparing the tender proposal involves considerable time and expense on the part of these companies. He wanted to use the letter to inform them of the group’s position on the project before they expended additional effort for the tender.

Abramovich offered to meet with the companies to share the groups concerns and advice on this very important matter “to our nation and your shareholders.”

Zalul Association for Environmental Protection was founded in 1999 as a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to protecting Israel’s seas and rivers. It is comprised of professionals from various fields including academia, environmental specialists, lawyers, public relations experts and lobbyists. During that time, they have fought vigorously to defend the seas and rivers from industrial and municipal polluters. More than 3,000 Israelis support their work by participating in rallies, letter writing and government outreach activities. For more information please visit www.zalul.org

by xnet