Gas Bill: Department Briefing on Stakeholder Proposed Amendments

Meeting report

MINERALS & ENERGY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
20 June 2001
DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ON STAKEHOLDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GAS BILL

Chairperson: Mr Nkosi (ANC)

Documents Distributed:
Gas Bill [B18-2001]
Proposed Committee Programme for August-November 2001 (see Appendix)
Shell Proposed Amendments to Gas Bill
Sasol Responses to Committee Questions 15 June 2001
Sasol Proposed Amendments to Gas Bill 18 June 2001
Department’s Comments on Submissions on Bill Chapter 1
Department’s Comments on Submissions on Bill Chapter 2

SUMMARY
The proposed schedule for the rest of the year concerning work on the Gas Bill and the coming Minerals Development legislation was presented.

The Department of Minerals and Energy commented on the proposed amendments by stakeholders concerning Chapters 1 and 2 of the Gas Bill. Due to the late submission of certain proposals by stakeholders the Department had not finished the analysis of proposed amendments to Chapters 3 and 4. They hoped to complete and circulate that evaluation shortly. Members could then review this before August 21-24 when the Bill is to be finalized.

MINUTES
The Chair informed the Committee on the proposed schedule for the rest of the year, which focuses on the finalization of the Bill upon the reconvening of Parliament in August, followed by work on the Minerals Development Bill. Mr Lucas (IFP) suggested that the Committee should also consider circumstances related to the rising price of petrol, which has a major effect on South Africans.

Dr Crompton presented the Department's summary report on stakeholder submissions of specific suggested amendments to the Bill for Chapters 1 and 2. This would be the "working document" for finalizing the legislation, although last week's Gas Bill Submissions: Cross-cutting Issues would remain useful. Evaluation of Chapters 3 and 4 would be finished shortly.

Discussion
The Chair requested that input from members be submitted as soon as practicable in order to expedite the process of finalizing the Bill on August 21. Such a participatory deliberation process would be helpful in creating a legislative record for future reference. There needs to be a balancing of different interests within the legislation. Fine-tuning its provisions, members should keep in mind the goal of maximizing the chances of successful practical implementation of the Bill.

Mr Davidson (DP) noted that in order to make further inputs, and to work on an expedited basis, the Department analysis of Chapters 3 and 4 must be provided as soon as possible. He expressed doubt, even with early dissemination of these materials, that there would be adequate time to finalize the Bill, even with three full days of Committee meetings upon reconvening.

Mr Moosa (ANC), Chair of the NCOP Select Committee dealing with the Bill, concurred with Davidson. He questioned the attainability of the expedited timetable for processing the Bill. The report on Chapters 3 and 4 should be delivered prior to next week's parliamentary recess.

The Chair replied that the proposed timeframe is a guideline, but that with co-operation between the Committee and Moosa's, and the assistance of the Department, perhaps the target dates could be met.

Dr Crompton noted that the Minister also wants the Bill processed quickly. He hopes to circulate the report on Chapters 3 and 4 prior to the recess, though it is a difficult task given the volume of late stakeholder submissions.

Mr Moosa pointed out that while there is a consolidated NA/NCOP public hearing process, the NCOP deliberations are separate and must be factored into the Department.'s scheduling.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix:
PROPOSED PROGRAMME: PC ON MINERALS AND ENERGY
AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2001

Committees 20/08 – 07/09
Plenaries 10/09 – 16/11

Tue., 21 Aug. Finalisation of Gas Bill
Wed., 22 Aug. Finalisation of Gas Bill
Thu., 23 Aug. Finalisation of Gas Bill

Tue., 28 Aug. Climate Change and Renewable Energy (Whole Day)
Wed., 29 Aug. Integrated Energy Planning (Morning) } DTI/DET/DME
Thu., 30 Aug Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (Morning)

Tue., 04 Sep. Capacity in the Energy Sector (Whole Day)
Wed., 05 Sep. BEE in Energy & Mining Sectors (Whole Day) } DTI/DET/DME
Thu., 06 Sep. Rural Energisation (Whole Day)

Wed., 12 Sep. ERMDEC Petition (Joint Meeting with PC on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and PC on Provincial and Local Government)(Note only PC on Minerals and Energy need report)

Wed., 19 Sep. Electricity Restructuring

Wed., 26 Sep. Legislation (Mineral Development Bill / Petroleum Pipeline Bill)
Wed., 03 Oct. Legislation (Mineral Development Bill / Petroleum Pipeline Bill)
Wed., 10 Oct. Legislation (Mineral Development Bill / Petroleum Pipeline Bill)
Wed., 17 Oct. Legislation (Mineral Development Bill / Petroleum Pipeline Bill)

Week 22-26 Oct. Provincial Public Hearings on Mineral Development Bill (Two Days)
Week 29 – 02 Nov. Provincial Public Hearings on Mineral Development Bill (Two Days)
Week 05 – 09 Nov. Provincial Public Hearings on Mineral Development Bill (Two Days)
Week 12 – 16 Nov. Provincial Public Hearings on Mineral Development Bill (Two Days)