DATE OF SUBMISSION: 06 SEPTEMBER 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
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QUESTION 276
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
276. Mr T D Harris (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Energy:
Whether, with reference to the comments by the Deputy President at the
Oil and Gas Indaba in Bloemfontein on 10 August 2010, the Government
has any plans to enhance the quality of fuel to South African
consumers in order to reduce the level of harmful vehicle emissions;
if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant steps of this plan
and (b) is the timeframe for its implementation? CW355E
Response:
a) Government is planning to enhance the quality of fuels by tightening
fuel specifications and standards in response to the health and
environmental challenges as well as new developments in vehicle engine
technology. As alluded to in my Budget Vote Speech and the
Departmentâs Strategic Plan we are on course with the development of a
Road Map that will spell out the envisaged future specifications and
standards. Among key stakeholders already consulted are the South
African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) and the National
Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).
b) The said Road Map will soon (within two months, October 2010) be
published in the Government Gazette for public comment. The exact
details of the technical specifications proposed are being deliberated
upon by the involved technical teams from Government and the industry.
The Road Map envisages a phased approach, which will culminate in a
cut-off period for a total change. This will also take into account
the time that will be needed to make the requisite changes to
manufacturing units to produce fuels that are in compliance with what
would be the new specifications and standards.