By Bev Mortimer:
The third revised EIA Report on Thyspunt is likely to be released by October this year.
But there will be no plain sailing before the proposed nuclear power station at Thyspunt can go ahead.
This is according Deidre Herbst of Eskom, senior manager, Environmental Management for Eskom, in an exclusive interview with St Francis Chronicle.
“There are many hurdles to overcome and processes to work through and any appeals against a Record of Decision issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could delay the processes.
Herbst says Eskom’s consultants are now proceeding with the finalisation of the revised report, which she hopes will be released later this year, probably in September or October. She conservatively believes the South African government may only be able to make a decision on proceeding with a nuclear power station towards the end this year.
If the DEA gives the green light and recommends that Thyspunt should be the site for the next nuclear power station, then the public can appeal. Herbst says it is anticipated the Thyspunt Alliance will appeal a favourable decision on Thyspunt as this organisation has already warned it will do.
“An appeal will ultimately delay the national government’s decision on whether to give the permission for the power plant to be built there.”
Herbst maintains the DEA has already given its specialists’ comments on the previous draft report to Eskom consultants, Arcus Gibb. These comments will be released at the same time as the third report.
“The consultants are currently working through these comments, some of which need clarification before consultants can release the Report.”
The public, which has been waiting for this report since August 2011, will be able to comment on it and there will be more public meetings. Then there will be a Final EIR (Environmental Impact Report).
This report and the public comments will be submitted to the DEA that has 105 days to review them. The DEA and all relevant government departments will then provide comment and the DEA will make a decision and issue an environmental authorisation. This will be published in the form of a Record of Decision (ROD).
At this stage appeals from the public and organisations can be lodged.
Herbst advises if the DEA does not approve Thyspunt as a suitable site the South African government cannot go ahead with its plans for Thyspunt.
The consultants Arcus Gibb have previously said there are no fatal flaws, only “sensitivities that can be addressed”. She believes if the DEA has any reservations it can still issue the ROD allowing the go ahead ‘under strict conditions’.
Herbst also reiterates statements made by Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters during her Eastern Cape visit. Peters said the government is nowhere near to taking a decision to appoint any contractors. Agreeing with this, Herbst says many countries are currently in talks with the South African government. The tender process, to her knowledge, has not started.
As for her own opinion on the suitability of Thyspunt, Herbst believes mitigation measures recommended by the consultants will address the environmental impact, nuclear will reduce carbon emissions and the portion of the site which was not impacted by the plant can be declared a protected area in the future
She reveals the government is still looking at other power generating options, including gas and solar. “But at the end of the day, this is a government decision,” she says.
Herbst also reveals that specialists were at Oyster Bay recently to look at proposed routes to Thyspunt via Oyster Bay. The initial proposed route drew fears from Oyster Bay residents that it would divide two communities in half. Herbst says Arcus Gibb has identified another route that won’t separate them. This report will form part of the revised report to be released later this year.
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