Natural Justice submitted comments to the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill, 2023. This was introduced to amend the National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999.
In its submission of the 13 October 2023, Natural Justice, together with the Just Energy Transition Africa Initiative, raises the following concerns:
- Nuclear energy will not create energy security and access
- Nuclear energy is expensive
- Few or no job opportunities for local communities
- Nuclear energy poses significant environmental and safety concerns
- Nuclear energy hinders renewable energy deployment
- Risks and concerns with unfettered powers and control of the Minister over nuclear energy
- South Africa’s history of rehabilitation
- The Bill should not limit liability for harm from nuclear power
