Use ethanol and create jobs

I, as many others, including the DA’s Ann McDonnell, am concerned with regards to the Avon peaking power plant’s usage requirement of some 17 diesel tankers per four hours of operation. Regardless of the import and transport costs of diesel usage etc. the emissions are also of concern.

Can someone then explain why, in view of the fact that it is situated amidst millions of acres of ethanol-producing cane which, if used to power the plant would:

1. Reduce the emissions by some 70%.

2. Create not only local but national employment if unused or unproductive repossessed land were to be used for ethanol producing crops.

3. The waste from the crops used (as not only sugar cane can produce ethanol) would be supplied as animal feedstock to the small farmers involved creating further opportunities to improve their lives.

I am sure we will get some fancy footwork on this but it would be good if the Durban Climate Change Committee really assessed this opportunity to make a major contribution to both local and national information on projects of this nature before both business and political subterfuge blind us to the true options available.

D.G.BUSMAN

Ballito