“Sasol’s application for Secunda emission limit for sulphur dioxide falls outside legal framework, say Just Share” ““The means of REDUCING SO2 emissions are WELL-KNOWN and NOT CONTROVERSIAL. The COST and BENEFITS of compliance are also WELL-KNOWN. Sasol has had an inordinately long time to prepare for compliance.”” “#Sasol has had an INORDINATELY LONG TIME to PREPARE for COMPLIANCE.” “#Sulphurdioxide is a notorious POLLUTANT that causes significant harm to HUMAN HEALTH and the ENVIRONMENT.” Sheree Bega - 27 JULY 2023 “Gwaze’s decision details how, on 23 February 2015, #Sasol Secunda was granted a 10-year postponement from meeting new plant standards for #SO2, in respect of #boilers in the #steamplants until 31 March 2025.” “It lodged a second application for postponement of new plant standards compliance timeframes in March 2019 for the steam plants, among others, for two pollutants — #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen.” “In June last year, Sasol applied to Gwaze and the Nkangala district authority for an alternative emission for SO2, for the #boilers in its #steamplants at #Sasol Secunda, which are operating in terms of a postponement.” “Not compliant” “Gwaze said that for an application to be considered, the plant must be in compliance with other #emissionstandards.” “”Sasol Secunda steam plants are not compliant as they are currently operating in terms of a postponement for #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen. Accordingly, the application falls to be refused on this basis alone.”” “Sasol was required to DEMONSTRATE previous REDUCTION, MEASURES and DIRECT INVESTMENTS implemented towards compliance, but had FAILED TO DO SO and the “application falls to be set aside for this reason alone”. “ “”Accordingly, there is no material compliance with the national ambient air quality standards in Secunda and for this reason alone, Sasol Secunda’s application is refused.”” “Gwaze is “not empowered” to grant an application for an alternative limit where a once-off postponement has already been granted.” ““Indeed, to permit such indulgence into PERPETUITY would defeat the objective of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act,” she said.” ““The reality, however, is that Sasol’s application fell outside the legal framework, including because it would have resulted in non-compliance with the #minimumemissionstandards beyond 31 March 2025. The #nationalairqualityofficer recognised this in her decision, which refused the application.”” “#Sasol is a major contributor to the high levels of #airpollution in the Highveld Priority Area where its Secunda operations are situated, she said.” “The HIGH COURT, in its 2022 DEADLY AIR decision, found that this pollution violates residents’ #constitutionalright to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.” https://lnkd.in/eS-PcsQu Source- original post Read all my posts #MariusPreston
Marius Preston
11mo
“Sasol’s application for Secunda emission limit for sulphur dioxide falls outside legal framework, say Just Share” ““The means of REDUCING SO2 emissions are WELL-KNOWN and NOT CONTROVERSIAL. The COST and BENEFITS of compliance are also WELL-KNOWN. Sasol has had an inordinately long time to prepare for compliance.”” “#Sasol has had an INORDINATELY LONG TIME to PREPARE for COMPLIANCE.” “#Sulphurdioxide is a notorious POLLUTANT that causes significant harm to HUMAN HEALTH and the ENVIRONMENT.” Sheree Bega - 27 JULY 2023
Marius Preston
11mo
“Gwaze’s decision details how, on 23 February 2015, #Sasol Secunda was granted a 10-year postponement from meeting new plant standards for #SO2, in respect of #boilers in the #steamplants until 31 March 2025.” “It lodged a second application for postponement of new plant standards compliance timeframes in March 2019 for the steam plants, among others, for two pollutants — #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen.” “In June last year, Sasol applied to Gwaze and the Nkangala district authority for an alternative emission for SO2, for the #boilers in its #steamplants at #Sasol Secunda, which are operating in terms of a postponement.” “Not compliant” “Gwaze said that for an application to be considered, the plant must be in compliance with other #emissionstandards.” “”Sasol Secunda steam plants are not compliant as they are currently operating in terms of a postponement for #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen. Accordingly, the application falls to be refused on this basis alone.””
Ben Peyper
11mo
What about all powerstations owned by the state
LLM MBA Hons BCom - Performance Management and Reporting Manager at Sasol
11mo“Sasol was required to DEMONSTRATE previous REDUCTION, MEASURES and DIRECT INVESTMENTS implemented towards compliance, but had FAILED TO DO SO and the “application falls to be set aside for this reason alone”. “ “Gwaze is “not empowered” to grant an application for an alternative limit where a once-off postponement has already been granted.” ““Indeed, to permit such indulgence into PERPETUITY would defeat the objective of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act,” she said.” ““The reality, however, is that Sasol’s application fell outside the legal framework, including because it would have resulted in non-compliance with the #minimumemissionstandards beyond 31 March 2025. The #nationalairqualityofficer recognised this in her decision, which refused the application.”” “#Sasol is a major contributor to the high levels of #airpollution in the Highveld Priority Area where its Secunda operations are situated, she said.” “The HIGH COURT, in its 2022 DEADLY AIR decision, found that this pollution violates residents’ #constitutionalright to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.” https://lnkd.in/eS-PcsQu