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To: Minister Pravin Gordhan Treasury, Minister Tina Joemat Pettersson, Eskoms CEO Brian Molefe

Stop the Nuclear Build - Increase Renewable Energy, Jobs and Prosperity!

Dear Ministers Pravin Gordhan, Tina Joemat Pettersson and Mr Brian Molefe
Please stop the proposed 9600 MW Nuclear Build. Quite apart from the Trillion Rand plus cost, our people need thousands of permanent jobs, something that Nuclear Power delivers very few of. The jobs it does offer are mostly for highly skilled people often going to foreigners. South Africa is acknowledged to have among the best climates worldwide for renewable power, which compared to nuclear is cheaper, more versatile, safe and easily deployed to areas that are currently not serviced by electricity. Many thousands of jobs for semi skilled and unskilled workers are delivered. Cheaper electricity from RE would mean greater opportunities for small businesses and more spending power for the average citizen. Storage ability of RE removed the sole remaining obstacle to developing a clean, sustainable energy future.
Nuclear Power externalises the most expensive and riskier costs, the waste will remain the problem of the state for millennia in both cost and security. The nuclear industry liability insurance only covers catastrophic risk to a very minor degree, any major catastrophe would fall to the government or the people to pay, a concept that is surely unconstitutional. Further, it is accepted worldwide that cost overruns and long delays are normal so the potential Trillion Rand cost will undoubtedly increase over the decade or two it would take to build.
A "Green Economy" favours the poor, both in quality of environment, job creation and because it will greatly enhance tourism, our number one employer countrywide.

Why is this important?

The cost of nuclear is prohibitively expensive. Leading economists have stated that it would virtually bankrupt South Africa, taking away much needed financial resources from impoverished communities and leaving our entire economy in tatters. It will side-line Renewable Energy developments which are the optimum way to bring power to rural communities, to allow them the freedom to participate in the modern economy and enjoy improved educational facilities.
Nuclear power would increase electricity tariffs significantly. A cost that mainly impacts low income groups, jobs and small businesses. Don't be fooled by cries of "cheap power" from Koeburg, is only cheap today because the capital cost was paid decades ago when construction costs and safety demands were much lower than today. Koeburg today stores a dangerous amount of radioactive waste on site, as does Pelindaba, and should a catastrophic accident occur would render much of the region uninhabitable. There is grossly inadequate funding in place to compensate ordinary citizens for any losses they would suffer from such a tragedy.
Koeburg is claimed to be cheap energy today because the Nuclear Industry don't count the cost of dealing with radioactive waste for millennia, nor the subsidies from government, nor the externalised costs of health and safety, nor the impacts on women and children from routine emissions. Nor the costs of huge power lines spanning the provinces. These costs are never counted because it's the public who pay not the nuclear industry!
Renewable energy creates clean safe jobs, many for unskilled and semi skilled people. Nuclear jobs are few, mainly for highly skilled people who are often sourced from abroad.
Nuclear energy is always at risk for catastrophic accidents; when there are safe, cheaper alternatives - nuclear does not make any sense at all!
Nuclear Energy is low on CO2 but only at the point of energy generation The full nuclear cycle is CO2 INTENSIVE, highly polluting and contributes to Global Warming, something that adversely impacts the poor and food security.
Ex NECSA (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation) workers who developed occupationally caused cancers, have for decades been trying to obtain compensation without success. There are still a few of these workers alive today and whose case is currently before the Public Protector. It has been a long tragic road and neither they or the deceased's families have received any compensation.
If we allow the Nuclear Build to go ahead it will be the largest capital expenditure incurred in our country's history. Our economy will be so negatively impacted that it is likely to lead us into decades of recession and entrenched poverty.
That is why many organisations like SAFCEI, Earthlife Africa, CANE, Pelindaba Working Group and OUTA are all opposing this Nuclear deal. These organisations and numerous others are opposing it on grounds of secrecy and potential (almost certain) corruption! Nuclear power does not deliver the promise of Amandla Awethu!

National

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Updates

2016-09-24 15:28:55 +0200

100 signatures reached

2016-09-22 16:21:02 +0200

50 signatures reached

2016-09-22 11:54:45 +0200

25 signatures reached

2016-09-22 09:49:21 +0200

10 signatures reached