Labor’s right wing making a nuclear flap
Union boss calls for nuclear energy
The Age MICHELLE GRATTANAugust 19, 2009
AUSTRALIA should develop a domestic nuclear industry and cast off ”ancient, hypochondriac policies” to get maximum benefit from its uranium, one of the country’s leading union figures has said.National secretary of the Australian Workers Union Paul Howes said the Federal Government should lift its ban on a nuclear power industry. Prohibitions on uranium mining in Queensland and exploration in NSW and Victoria – ”superstitions of another age” – should also go.
Australians would be ”dills” not to seize the prize presented by use of nuclear energy and it should consider establishing nuclear processing facilities to add value to our export ore, Mr Howes told the Sydney Institute last night.
Union boss calls for nuclear energyBob Hawke in new plug for nuclear waste industry
THE AUSTRALIAN Paul Kelly, August 19, 2009
“Australia can make a significant difference to the safety of nuclear generation by agreeing to take waste from nuclear power stations. This would be an important contribution to safety and energy security. It would also become a strong source of national income for Australia that could be dedicated to our own environmental and water requirements.”…………… He says the financial benefits from any decision would be immense.
How on earth can coal gas be called “renewable” energy?
Alternative energy advocates unhappy about coal gas inclusion in RET bill
ABC Rural News 18/08/2009
Alternative energy groups say gas produced by burning coal doesn’t come from a renewable source, and shouldn’t be included under a renewable energy target scheme.
The chief executive of Western Australia’s Sustainable Energy Association, Professor Ray Wills, wants a new bill introduced into Federal Parliament.He says it should be separate to either the renewable energy or emissions trading legislation, to deal with so-called ‘transitional’ fuels.”And including coal gas which actually does a useful service of reducing methane to carbon dioxide, and so therefore is less greenhouse intensive, but it’s certainly not a renewable energy source,” he says.”We can set up separate innovation funds that allow migration from fossil fuelgeneration to renewable energy generation.”
Alternative energy advocates unhappy about coal gas inclusion in RET bill – 18/08/2009
Darwin Council worried about uranium transport risk
Yellowcake cyclone impact concerns council
ABC News 18 August 09 By Gina MarichThe Darwin City Council says a new uranium storage and handling facility proposed for Darwin’s main port could pose a risk to the environment.
BHP Billiton is considering a facility at the East Arm Port to export up to 1.6 million tonnes of uranium oxide a year, once it expands its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia.
The Darwin Lord Mayor, Graeme Sawyer, says this poses a range of issues, including possible leakage during cyclones and tidal storm surges.
BHP have made some assurances that the stuff that they’re dealing with is not on the high end of the dangerous scale,” Mr Sawyer said.
“But we’d like some independent analysis of that and a range of assurances on some of it.
“There’s going to be some material on that site which needs to be very safely handled so there’s a whole range of issues.”
Yellowcake cyclone impact concerns council – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australia passing Renewable Energy Target Law
Australia’s Renewable Energy Target Bill Passes House Of Rep
Energy matters 18 August 09
After being decoupled from the Australian Government’s failed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), the Renewable Energy Target bill was passed in the House of Representatives last night.The legislation will see 20 per cent of Australia’s energy needs sourced from renewable energy within 20 years.
For Australia’s solar industry, it’s very good news as the legislation also covers the Solar Credits program that will provide substantial rebates for households, businesses and community groups wishing to install solar power systems, both off grid and grid connect. ……………….
Unlike the previous rebate; the Solar Credits scheme is not means tested; meaning that most households will be eligible for the program.
………..In an odd compromise, amendments already made to the RET allow for coal seam methane tapped for use as an energy source to also be counted in the RET, a move the Australian Greens say is a deal struck to increase the profit margins of the coal sector. However, Senator Wong says it would be included on top of the 20% target
Australia’s Renewable Energy Target Bill Passes House Of Reps : Renewable Energy News
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