Creecy slates environmental groups saying Eskomâs coal-fired stations emit dirty air
By Bongani Nkosi
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Johannesburg - Environmental Minister Barbara Creecy has reacted with scorn to the labelling of Eskomâs coal-fired stations as dirty by advocacy groups taking the government to court over air quality.
GroundWork and the Vukani Environmental Movement, sought an order forcing the government to implement its own plans to curb emissions and improve air quality in the coal-mining Highveld communities straddling Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
These government plans were contained in the Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan, promulgated in 2007 by the then Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
State opposes court action forcing it to improve air quality of Highveld communities
By Bongani Nkosi
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Johannesburg - The government will oppose the landmark litigation brought to force it to implement its own plans to curb emissions and improve air quality in the Highveld communities straddling Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Dubbed the “Deadly Air” case, it was brought to the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, by two environment advocacy groups in July last year.
The court’s acting Deputy Judge President Sulet Potterill has now informed the parties that the matter will be heard from May 17-19 next year.
In another key development in the case, the government has notified the court and the litigants that it will oppose the application brought against it.