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Press Release Press Release Press Release Press Release Press Release Press Release COURT DATE SET FOR PBMR CHALLENGE 15th July 2004. The date of 29th November 2004 is the date set down for the PBMR (pebble bed modular reactor) case to be heard in the Cape high court. Since 2000, Earthlife Africa has been trying to participate meaningfully in a complex process which aims to assess the risks and benefits of the proposed nuclear reactor, PBMR (pebble bed modular reactor), from an environmental, economic and social point of view. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process involved highly technical scientific information, lengthy documents and took place over a period of 3 years. When it became apparent that it was not possible to gain a fair hearing, Earthlife Africa was forced to resort to court action. With the assistance of the legal Resources Centre, Earthlife Africa Cape Town launched review proceedings against the EIA Record of decision taken by the Director General of the Department of Environment and Tourism in 2003. This decision had given the PBMR the go-ahead in terms of the Environmental lmpact Assessment. "Earthlife Africa is respected as an environmental lobby group acting in the public interest, and our lawyers, the Legal Resource Centre, are confident that we have a strong case. " said Sibusiso Mimi, nuclear campaigner for Earthlife Africa Cape Town. "The legal route is exhausting, complicated and very time-consuming. It is a pity we have to resort to this". The implications of an expansion of the nuclear programme within South Africa and Africa are quite sobering. The European Committee on Radiation Risk recently found that the health impacts of low dose radiation were much more serious than the nuclear industry has historically put forward. The economic viability case for the PBMR has yet to see the light of day and no investors for this white elephant can be found. "We have very good environmental policies and legislation which encourages fair process where the public could meaningfully participate. It seriously undermines the policy and legislation when the implementation of such processes appear to be merely give lip service to people's legislative and constitutional rights to be heard" Said Liz McDaid, of Earthlife Africa Cape Town. "It is important that watchdog organisations such as Earthlife Africa take action to protect our environment rights". Sibusiso Mimi - 072 494 1395 Liziwe McDaid - 082 731 5643 ?? |
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