Comments made by the National Planning Commission (NPC) about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) are irresponsible, premature and unfortunate, according to a lobby group opposed to the gas extraction technology.
The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG), an organisation that represents a broad spectrum of stakeholders who are concerned about the plans of oil and mining companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin, was quick to respond to a suggestion made by the NPC in its national development plan to allow exploratory drilling for gas while investigations into the effect on the environment continue.
The NPC argues in the national development plan that exploratory drilling in areas like the Karoo should be allowed to determine whether there are economically viable shale gas reserves. It added that shale gas has the potential to contribute to a very large proportion of South Africa’s electricity needs.
“Substituting gas for coal will help cut South Africa’s carbon intensity and greenhouse gas emissions,” the plan states. Jonathan Deal, chairperson of the TKAG, responded by saying that the NPC has “stumbled into the debate about fracking with sweeping pronouncements about the use of a technology which the jury is still out on.”
According to Deal, fracking is presently under a full moratorium in South Africa. A specialist task team convened by the minister of mineral resources, Susan Shabangu, on the instruction of Cabinet, is yet to report back to the minister, who only then may approach Cabinet for a decision on fracking.
“In other words, this process is far from over. In our view, it requires an independent scientific investigation of at least four years, which is the time frame involved in investigations elsewhere.
“For a presidentially sanctioned body of highly regarded leaders to have released the statements that they have, at this time, creates the impression that our government has already made up its mind to issue licences to frack the country,” said Deal. – Denene Erasmus
