Ecological Day - No to Nukes

Ecological day is a monthly feature started by Sonia at Leaves of Grass , to give bloggers the opportunity to post articles on any ecological matters, on the first Tueday of every month.

My first venture is into the spectre of nuclear power.

When you look out on this vista, it is hard to believe that a nuclear power station could be build on the second point, not too far in the future. Yes, Thuyspunt has been identified as one of the sites for a pebble bed nuclear reactor. All indications are that the Governmant and Eskom are intent on building on this site.

The Government is firmly commited to its programme of building nuclear power stations and the powers that be are going through the motions of the environmental impact assessments (EIA). The assumption is that as long as one goes through the legal motions, it justifies the end.

The EIA is now being conducted on the route of the power lines, which can only lead one to conclude that someone in high places has already made up their mind.

The reality is that we do not want a nuclear power station on our door step.

• Nuclear power is not safe despite what the experts say. Yes, you can take precautions, but the inherent risks are big.
• Pebble bed technology is as yet untested.
• The site is alongside the ecologically sensitive sand river system.
• This site is in the heart of one of the country's prime tourist and dairy farming areas.
• 20,000 people will have to be evacuated from Cape St Francis in 12 minutes, on a single access road, if there is a nuclear leak. It is even closer to Oyster Bay

As country we need to do something about about our electricity demand, but I believe we should be looking for better sustainable alternatives such as wind.

For more Ecological Day posts visit Sonia at Leaves of Grass.

Going Green

Well I am now officially a "green" if that is the right terminology.

After a quick investigation into nuclear power (the internet has so much information on the subject), I decided I definitely don't want to live with a nuclear power station on my door step.

So I have now officially joined the anti-nuclear lobby, albeit as a lone ranger. I am registered as an interested party on the Eskom (electricity supply authority) database, I have signed onto an Environmental website and have submitted my first comments (which has already been acknowledged).
What I wrote is probably a lot of frothy drivel, because it was done in a hurry, to meet 28 August deadline and quite frankly is not my area of expertise. But that is the beauty of our new democracy, "those in power" take the time to listen.

In a previous job I spent 12 years of my life lobbying the former government and fighting them on many issues and have come to realise that I have been missing the the cut and thrust of fighting for a good cause. I am back.

If you can't join them beat them

The construction of a nuclear power station in the Oyster Bay/ Cape St Francis is, I believe, a certainty in the eyes of the Government. Though the politicians are doing their usual ducking and diving, the reality is that the land was expropriated in the 1980's and the Environmental Impact Assessment's are under way. According to comments by the officials concerned, in the news media, it will happen.

I have tried to keep an open mind about nuclear power and the new safety measures and technology etc, but I cannot continue to do so. The body of evidence is largely negative, so I have joined the anti-nuclear lobby as I said I would in my post The Nuclear Spectre.

A recent article in The Herald gives some background on the issue and the seriousness with which some lobbyists are taking this. There is a lot of debate on the internet as well.

Time is short and interested Individuals and Groups wishing to comment on the subject of Nuclear Energy have until 28 August 2007 to make submissions.

All correspondence should be addressed to:
Mr Langa Zita (Chairperson) and marked for the Attention of Ms Albertina Kakaza, Box 15, Parliament,Cape Town 8000
Tel: (021) 403-3749/65, Fax: (021) 403-2808, E-mail: akakaza@parliament.gov.za

Copies of submissions can be sent to: nuclear@environment.co.za