CANE - Coalition Against Nuclear Energy South Africa

THE DRAFT NUCLEAR ENERGY STRATEGY:
LAST CHANCE FOR DISSENT
Mike Kantey

On 22 August 2007, the Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Energy in the South African Parliament received an “Update” by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA). During this session, the Draft Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy for the Republic of South Africa was presented, a strategy which had been already “approved by Cabinet” on 8 August 2007.

The minutes of this Portfolio Committee briefing (provided by the Parliamentary Monitoring Group), the Draft Strategy Document itself, and from attending  …

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NUKES FOR AFRICA?

If nuclear power is okay for South Africa, what about Zimbabwe? Or how about Rwanda, or Sierra Leone? If we are concerned about South Africa’s ability to provide safe transport for nuclear fuel and waste, risks of sabotage and smuggling of nuclear materials - what about nations in Africa that have been torn by civil war? What about a neighbouring nation like Zimbabwe where inflation is now at 7000%? South Africans may not be aware that despite poverty and starvation, Zimbabwe is somehow still considering the hugely expensive option of nuclear power. How comfortable do South Africans…

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21 September 2007
Press Release: DME’s Energy Summit puts Our Heritage at risk

In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections. Part of that democratic heritage was that a new way of governing was brought into being. People were to be involved in decision-making, and government would facilitate this. Legislation which supports access to information, administrative justice and environmental justice was enacted and many sector specific policy processes were undertaken. One of these was the policy process on energy which culminated in the White Paper on Energy of 1998.

A day after South Africa celebrates Heritage Day next week,…

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Experts will decide on nuclear information

06 September 2007

Two expert referees will decide what information should be released to the public about Eskom’s nuclear Pebble Bed Modular Reactor development, the Supreme Court of Appeal held.

Judge-President Craig Howie made an agreement between Eskom and Earthlife Africa (ELA) on how a request for information over South Africa’s nuclear energy programme must be handled an order of the court.

Representing ELA, Open Democracy Advice Centre spokeswoman Alison Tilley said Eskom’s records on the development would now be referred to expert referees.

“They are going to look at the records and read them and make…

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State to inject R6bn more into reactor project
September 12, 2007, BUSINESS REPORT

By Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - Contributions from foreign and local investors in the pebble bed modular reactor project have reached R4.2 billion since its inception eight years ago and the state will inject R6 billion more over the medium term, according to the project’s annual report for 2006/07.

The report was tabled in parliament at the same time as the special adjustment estimates bill, which covers unexpected expenditure not provided for in the 2007/08 national budget.

These items include R1.8 million to keep the reactor project…

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