News update

[Jeremy Wakeford]

Greetings,

There is plenty happening in the energy/economy/environment nexus both globally and locally. Some highlights:

• Euro-zone politicians would have us think that the Greek debt crisis has been solved, but they have merely kicked the can a little further down the road, while setting a precedent for default for other European economies. The dominoes could soon start toppling over very quickly.
• The situation in Syria is like an action replay of Libya a year ago.
• The Iran situation is still tense. Obama apparently promised Israel the use of bunker-busting bombs and refuelling planes as long as they hold off an air strike until after the November election.
  
• The ANC government is getting more serious about extending state intervention in the resources sector. For example, the ANC's policy document discusses a mineral sector resource rent tax. 
• NERSA has revised Eskom's tariff increase for 2012 down from 25.9% to 16% on average, as the government counts the political and economic costs of several years of large tariff hikes.

Catch up on the latest news on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/ASPO_SA

My latest op-ed piece in the Mail & Guardian, discussing SA's transport policy:
http://mg.co.za/article/2012-03-09-barrelling-down-the-wrong-track/

Regards,

-- 
Jeremy Wakeford

Chairperson
Association for the Study of Peak Oil - South Africa
Tel.: +27 (0)28 722 1115
Cell: +27 (0)71 210 8204
Fax:  +27 (0)86 624 8646
Skype: Jeremy.Wakeford
www.aspo.org.za