Uranium miner ERA: costs high, profits low
‘This is expected to adversely impact ERA’s 2010 earnings, as the small price margin associated with the sale of the purchased material is more than offset by the ongoing costs of operation,’’ the company said.
ERA shares fall on production downgrade, Sydney Morning Herald, October 13, 2010 – 1 Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia has downgraded its 2010 production guidance, saying ore grade in the September quarter was lower than expected. Continue reading
“Nuclear Renaissance” dream becoming a financial nightmare
There’s no gainsaying that nuclear construction projects are looking riskier all the time, especially in the United States, where many factors have conspired to spoil dreams of a big nuclear renaissance: declining energy demand since the onset of the global economic crisis (down 4 percent since 2007 in the States); plummeting natural gas prices (down almost half from what they were a few years ago); collapsing prospects for enactment of a U.S. climate bill (which would have raised the costs of fossil-fuel-generated electricity); and soaring reactor construction costs (with EDF’s current reactor 40 or 50 percent more expensive than originally billed).
Cancellation of Maryland Plant Delivers Double Whammy IEEE Spectrum: Bill Sweet, October 13, 2010 Continue reading
Australia’s Climate Change Minister not strong on Climate Change action on coal power
Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the Gillard government was not focused on committing taxpayers’ money to the Brumby government’s goal of closing a quarter of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant within four years….Mr Combet said Victoria’s climate policy was ”very strong” but the federal government had different priorities.
Federal funding unlikely for state’s Hazelwood coal-reduction proposal, The Age, Adam Morton and Tom Arup, October 13, 2010 THE federal government has cast doubt over Victoria’s request for hundreds of millions of dollars to start closing Australia’s ”dirtiest” power station, Continue reading
USA, Europe want wind power, but split on nuclear
Opinions on building more nuclear power plants are more mixed and vary by country. The public is more or less equally divided in the U.S., Britain and France but clear majorities are opposed in Italy (60%), Spain (63%) and even more strongly in Germany (77%)…….
U.S., Europe back wind farms but split on nuclear power – Green House , 14 Oct 10, The main findings of the poll, taken between Sept. 15 and 21, 2010, include: * Big majorities of the public in all six countries favor the building of more wind farms in their countries, Continue reading
Victoria determined to close down dirty Hazelwood coal power station
Greens MP Greg Barber said new climate change laws allowed the government to legislate Hazelwood out of existence without compensation being due.
Dirty coal station ‘will be closed’, Sydney Morning Herald, Richard Willingham, October 14, 2010 PREMIER John Brumby is ”completely confident” Australia’s dirtiest power station will be closed, with or without federal help. Continue reading
Obama got Peace Prize, but still testing nuclear weapons
“He was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. What was that all about? How will the U.S. government apologize to A-bomb survivors?”.
A-bomb survivors outraged at Obama over subcritical nuclear test – The Mainichi Daily News, 14 Oct 10, Victims of atomic bombings expressed their disappointment at U.S. President Barack Obama after his administration carried out its first subcritical nuclear test last month. Continue reading
1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 