Dear Interested and Affected Parties YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS REQUIRED
The Department of Energy has finally issued the invitation for the much touted “broad consultation process” concerning its “IRP2” – basically the electricity / energy plan for this country for the next 20 years – a day BEFORE their deadline. This invitation arrived yesterday but that will not deter us from registering as stakeholders yet again to voice our opposition and reasons for opposition to the proposed inclusion of nuclear in the proposed energy mix for South Africa. But, WE NEED TO ACT QUICKLY.
For those who don’t know much about IRP2, there are web-links to articles on the IRP2 listed below to fill you in. But please ensure you register on the database of stakeholders ASAP for the pattern of recent times has shown that leaving it up to the next person or organisation, results in government turning its back on enlightened views to the detriment of this country’s future.
Over the past number of years we have relentlessly participated in all processes – EIAs, submissions to government or Parliament, presentations to energy regulators and policy makers, public hearings on energy policy etc only to find that pre-determined policies are riding rough-shod over democratic processes. Our petitions to the Speaker for Parliamentary debate over energy mix and nuclear policy have remained unheeded and indeed legislation enabling this lethal energy option has been Gazetted in spite of this. More recently the Energy Minister held a “nuclear stakeholders’” meeting in Cape Town to which she invited only ONE PERSON to represent the growing thousands of people in this country opposed to nuclear expansion while renewable alternative solutions remain the Cinderella option. Needless to say, his objections were dismissed and he was kicked out of the meeting.
You cannot allow the government to continue to be dismissive of whom it consults & recognise as stakeholders. Indeed the entire South African public is the biggest stakeholder!!
YOUR VOICE COUNTS. Please register! Help to drive the message that WE DO NOT WANT NUCLEAR ENERGY IN SOUTH AFRICA!
* * *
Herewith the invitation:
INVITATION TO REGISTER ON THE DATABASE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: IRP2
The Department of Energy hereby calls on all interested parties to register on its database of stakeholders for inclusion in the consultation process for the development of the IRP2 for Electricity 2010.
All interested residents, businesses, groups and sectors are requested to:
1. Indicate their institution;
2. Core business;
3. Area of interest in the IRP;
4. Preliminary position in their areas of interest; and
5. Contact person/s and contact details
Interested parties are requested to submit the above-mentioned information to the office of the Director-General by the 20th April 2010. Such information may be faxed, emailed or posted.
Contact Person:
Ms Yolisa Mapekula
Department of Energy
Private Bag X 19
Arcadia
0007
Tel: 012- 444 4063
Fax: 012- 444 4505
Email: yolisa.mapekula@energy.gov.za
_____________________________________________________________________________
Some reading matter on the IRP2 and why your involvement is so important:
Cloud over power plan -Mar 19 2010
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-19-cloud-over-power-plan
Energy Department to publish IRP2 by June
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/maqubela-2010-02-24
Inter-Ministerial Committee gives nod to IRP2 consultation plan – 31 March 2010
http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2010/10040110051002.htm
Minister reassures business IRP2 will include broad consultation
April 7, 2010
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=552&fArticleId=5419352
Nuclear deal back on track-Mar 05 2010
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-05-nuclear-deal-back-on-track
SA outlines consultation process for 20-year energy plan
