Wrap up of the week’s Australian nuclear news

Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion.  Justice Besanko will hand down his ruling this Friday 20th April on legal challenge against Federal Environment Minister’s approval for this.  Meanwhile, also on 20th April, a Supreme Court first directions hearing of challenge against the South Australian govt’s approval.

Radiation incident, NSW:   New South Wales Pacific Highway road workers’ mysterious illness. Affected by DDT or radiation from a 1980 radioactive transport spill? Inquiry to be held.

Northern Territory govt to allow uranium exploration in water catchment area for planned new dam.

Carbon tax compensation to start in May.    Clean Energy Finance Corporation ready to go, and Tony Abbott, no matter how much twisting and turning he does, won’t be able to stop it. Review by expert panel gives the CEFC a good rap.

Federal Politics.  Australian Greens.  Sudden and gracious resignation of Greens leader Bob Brown. Christine Milne takes over, with a plan for working with rural and regional Australia for sustainable energy.  Council of Australian Governments being pressured by BHP and others, especially the South Australian Government, to remove Federal Government environmental jurisdiction over projects.  (E.g – it would be so much nicer for Olympic Dam expansion to not have to worry about what the rest of Australia thinks about its water use, or radioactive dust clouds).

Western Australia’s big solar farm due to be operational within months.

Uranium miners ERA and Paladin put on a bold face, but their debts and share price decline tells a different story.  Ranger uranium mine may well close down.

April 19, 2012 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina reviews