Australia wants uranium money – never mind that it goes to nuclear weapons
states – the U.S., U.K., China, France, Russia – although not one of them takes seriously its obligation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to pursue disarmament in good faith.
policy and binding Labor platform policy. That’s pretty low. Continue reading
Water still being pumped into Fukushima reactors, Tepco may dump more radioactive water into sea
TEPCO mulls nuclear-contaminated water Sky News, December 8, 2011 Japan’s 
embattled Tokyo Electric Power Co says it is considering dumping more nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima power plant into the sea. If TEPCO goes ahead with the plan it would be the second time it has deliberately released radiation-tainted water into the ocean since reactors began melting down at Fukushima in the wake of the March 11 tsunami.
‘We have stored processed water in tanks, which are expected to become full by March next year,’ said a TEPCO spokesman on Thursday. He said no final details – such as when, how much, or how dirty the water would be – have been established, but stressed the water would be filtered to reduce levels of radioactivity before it was dumped.
Thousands of tonnes of water have been pumped into reactors at Fukushima in an effort to cool the molten nuclear fuel and bring the plant to a safe shutdown.
‘We are studying a variety of measures to cope with it,’ he said, including the possibility of building more storage tanks. ‘The company has consulted with the Japan Fisheries (JF) Cooperatives about the possibility of a water release.’ A group of fishermen immediately lodged a protest with TEPCO and the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry on Thursday, demanding the plan be shelved.
‘Many local fishermen still cannot go out to sea due to regulations or voluntary decisions and the now-poor safety reputation of the area has scared off consumers,’ JF official Shinji Ogawa told AFP. ‘We cannot possibly let TEPCO do this again.’ Within weeks of the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, TEPCO dumped more than 10,000 tons of low-level radioactive water into the Pacific.
Ogawa said the water release plan was outrageous, especially after the power company had to apologise this week for accidentally leaking highly radioactive waste water into the Pacific….. TEPCO said Monday that it believed 150 litres of waste water including highly harmful strontium, a substance linked to bone cancers, has found its way into the open ocean. … http://www.skynews.com.au/finance/article.aspx?id=694474&vId=
Australia backing India for U.N. Security Council, despite India’s nuclear weapons boom
Can you believe it? Australia is now likely to lose its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, because it has decided to disregard India’s nuclear militarism – in particular, India’s refusal to sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty.
But hey, the Australian governmnet now has the gall to back India, even as India is ramping up its long range nuclear missile production, – to back India’s bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council.
This is likely to be seen as two militaristic nations backing each other. – Christina Macpherson
Aus supports India’s claim for permanent UNSC seat, The Economic Times, 8 DEC, 2011, NEW DELHI: Australia supported India’s claim for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council and said the decision of its ruling party on supplying Uranium to New Delhi has removed any “potential irritant” in their growing bilateral relationship.
On a three-day visit to India, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the two countries have also agreed to look into prospects of enhancing practical military cooperation by holding bilateral naval exercises in future. … http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11032000.cms
Australian Capital Territory legislates for solar feed in tariff
ACT passes large solar scheme, ABC News, By Kathleen Dyett December 09, 2011 The ACT Government has passed legislation to set-up Australia first large-scale solar feed-in tariff scheme. It will support renewable energy projects with a total capacity of up to 210 megawatts, with the first 40 megawatts to be allocated via an auction.
Large solar facilities that generate 2 megawatts or more will be the first to take part in the auction. The Liberals have slammed the scheme as costly and ineffective. But the Greens negotiated some changes before backing the bill.
Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury says he is happy with the outcome. “The two amendments we’ve agreed with the Government are to first of all ensure that the developments take place within the Australian capital region,” he said.
“The second is to open it up to systems above 200 kilowatts which will predominantly go on rooftops. “We want to make the most of the many rooftops around Canberra that could be used to generate clean, green energy.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-09/act-large-solar-tariff-scheme/3721884?section=act
Durban report: tiny island of Tokelau to be world’s first 100% renewable energy country
Tokelau to be first renewable energy nation Tokelau plans to use only renewable energy from next year. [ABC], Australia Network News, 9 Dec 2011 The tiny Pacific nation of Tokelau has told a UN conference it plans to use only renewable energy within a year. It would be the first country in the world to do so.
The head of the Tokelau Government, Foua Toloa, toldPacific Beat although his country is small, it has a powerful message.
“By September, 2012 – Tokelau will be the first nation 100 per cent renewable energy efficient, fulfilling our global obligation,” he said.
“We are making sure our voice is being heard here – especially the smallest of the small here in Durban”.
Attending the UN conference in South Africa the Tokelau representatives have called for a legally-binding agreement of emission pledges from all countries. http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201112/3387536.htm?desktop
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 