Reminder: Public debate
  
JPC_Chris_17-May-2011

 "Fracking in the Karoo - for and against..."

 

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This is just a friendly reminder that you are registered to attend the above debate, details as follows:

 

DATE: Wednesday 25 May 2011
TIME: 15h30 for 16h00
VENUE: Axiz Auditorium, Midrand. Click here for map.
COCKTAIL PARTY: Snacks, soft-drinks, beer and wine will be served after the debate
COST: R50 per person attending, payable at the door, to help cover catering costs.
 
Click here for further details 
 
MOTION FOR DEBATE
 
"This house believes that the current moratorium on the exploration and production of shale gas in the Karoo through the technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", should be extended indefinitely, and that fracking in the Karoo in its current form should be abandoned."
 
CHAIRMAN

  • Dr. Rod Crompton, member of the board of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), responsible for regulating petroleum pipelines.

PRESENTERS IN FAVOUR OF THE MOTION

  • Dr. Anthony Turton, well known water resource scientist, formerly at the CSIR, now professor in the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State (UFS)
  • Dr. Chris Hartnady, formerly associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at UCT, now technical director at Umvoto, with expertise in structural geology and tectonics in South and southern Africa

PRESENTERS AGAINST THE MOTION

  • Prof. Philip Lloyd of the Energy Institute at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and formerly at the Energy Research Centre (ERC) of the University of Cape Town (UCT)
  • Ivo Vegter, well known opinion leader, journalist and writer in The Daily Maverick and other leading publications in South Africa (see his views on fracking here)

A vote will be taken before and after the debate to determine those for the motion, those against and those undecided.

 

BACKGROUND
 
The subject of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", for the exploration and production of shale gas in the Karoo has been well covered in the media as a potential "game changer" in the energy sector, with heated arguments both for and against. This debate will bring together diverse expert views to present and argue the motion.
 
DIRECTIONS
 
From the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, take the New Road off-ramp and head West (away from Midrand). At the first traffic lights after the N1/New Road intersection, turn right into Sixth Road and into the International Business Gateway, where you will be directed to the Axiz Auditorium.
 
Please click here for a map.

 

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We look forward to seeing you at the debate!

 

Kind regards

Chris Yelland CEng                                 Clare van Zwieten
Managing director                                  Chairperson
EE Publishers                                         Johannesburg Press Club
chris.yelland@ee.co.za                             clare@joburgpressclub.co.za
www.eepublishers.co.za                            www.joburgpressclub.co.za