Nuclear Power Lobby in a Bigger Mess Than I Thought
by Christina Macphers
on 9 April 2010, Some big corporations have an obvious interest in Australia promoting nuclear power. But which sort? Better not get Fourth Generation nuclear reactors – or the whole uranium industry is stuffed!
Today, thanks to Renfrey Clarke (3 items from him below) I learned about:
Second Generation Nuclear Reactors – those presently in use (Pressured Water Reactors – uranium-intensive and so ultimately producing lots of greenhouse gases, and not very safe, )
Third Generation Nuclear Reactors – still being built – updated versions of the Second Gen, super-expensive, a bit safer, but same waste and proliferation problems
‘Fast Breeder’ Reactors and Fourth Generation Nuclear Reactors – the latter still at the design stage, carry serious fire and radioactive waste risk. Worst of all, for Australia, they won’t need uranium mining , as they could use existing huge stockpiles of depleted uranium
Traditional Aboriginal Owners to Appear at Senate Inquiry on Australian Govt’s Nuclear Waste Dump Plan
The NRWM Bill is also strongly opposed by the NT Government, the ACTU and Unions NT and national public health, student and environment groups.
9 April 2010 Aboriginal Traditional Owners from the Muckaty Land Trust will appear at a Senate Inquiry hearing in Darwin on Monday April 12 to speak against the federal government’s new law that seeks to impose a radioactive waste dump on the NT – the National Radioactive Waste Management (NRWM) Bill. Continue reading
“Third Generation” Nuclear Reactors” safety, pollution, proliferation dangers
Why James Hansen is wrong on nuclear power | Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal, By Renfrey Clarke April 8, 2010 -“…….Third-generation reactors are in essence evolved versions of the pressurised-water installations that provide almost all of today’s nuclear energy. Now being built for the first time, “third-generation” plants are arguably still at the pre-commercial stage. Continue reading
A worthwhile anti uranium protest, and protestors vindicated
9 April 2010 Greens MLC Mark Parnell has welcomed the decision to award ten protesters $724,550 in compensation for their treatment and detention by Star Force officers whilst protesting at the Beverley Uranium mine in 2000……
“These protesters had a right to express their concerns about the dangers of the nuclear industry and South Australia’s role in it. This is an industry that is implicated in nuclear weapons proliferation and an industry that still has no solution to its toxic waste. That is certainly worth protesting about,” he said.
Uranium price slipping further down
Uranium prices falter on lack of demand Industrial Fuels and Power April 7th, 2010 The spot price of uranium oxide slipped by US$0.25 to US$41.75/lb on April 5, according to Ux Consulting Company. Earlier, on Friday 2, TradeTech had reported an identical decline, pushing the price down to US$41.50 as no transactions or new demand were apparent, prompting sellers to offer lower prices.
Uranium prices falter on lack of demand | Industrial Fuels and Power
Justice for South Australian anti uranium protestors
Justice Anderson also criticised SA Treasurer Kevin Foley and Police Minister Michael Wright for making antagonistic and provocative comments about the case.
Payout for protesters locked in shipping container – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 9 April 2010, The South Australian Government has been ordered to pay $724,000 to 10 people involved in a protest at the Beverley uranium mine a decade ago.
The Supreme Court has found the nine uranium protesters and a cameraman were assaulted and all but one falsely imprisoned in a shipping container. Continue reading
‘Fourth Generation’ ‘Integral Fast Nuclear Reactors’ would not need uranium mining
This would be achieved through the irradiating of depleted uranium, of which large stockpiles exist. Fresh mining of uranium would not be needed for hundreds of years……
Why James Hansen is wrong on nuclear power | Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal, By Renfrey Clarke April 8, 2010″……Compared to earlier installations, the projected fourth-generation plants – specifically, the “integral fast reactor” (IFR) designs that have drawn most attention – promise important advantages., Continue reading
Gareth Evans – Australia’s uranium salesman
Is there any potential for Viet Nam and Australia to make co-operation in this issue?
Gareth Evans :Yes, there are because Australia has the biggest reserves of uranium in the world.
VietNam to play a clear role in nuclear non-proliferation Viet Nam News April, 08 2010 Gareth Evans speaks “…….Viet Nam also has an important role in the peaceful use of nuclear energy Continue reading
The rush to roll out ‘second generation’ nuclear reactors
Why James Hansen is wrong on nuclear power | Links April 8, 2010“…….With both third- and fourth-generation nuclear plants outside the time bracket, what is left for environmentalists who hanker after nuclear power? The only option for them is the one embraced by the French and Chinese governments, and now, it seems, by the Obama administration in the US: an accelerated roll-out of second-generation nuclear plants, built to standardised designs following rushed or non-existent consultation with the plants’ future neighbours. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 