Antinuclear

This week’s nuclear news in Australia

Federal politics.  Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop joins in the growing chorus of Liberal, and some Labor politicians urging for nuclear power for Australia.    Much Liberal-Labor wrangling going on about the carbon tax,  the the Clean Energy Future legislation, renewable energy promotion and demotion.  And I’m sorry, but I haven’t kept up with it too well.

Western Australia. Intrepid Traditional owners and international protesters are already on their way in their 250 Km walk from Yeelirrie to Leonora  in protest against uranium mining.  In addition to this strong local opposition, there are still many hurdles for the uranium industry to overcome, before Wiluna, or Yeelirrie uranium projects ever become operational. The most significant hurdle is the persistent fall in uranium prices.

Which brings me to the Australian media. The business pages continue to hype the marker forecast for uranium mining. They must be relying on handouts from the uranium lobby, as the reality for the uranium market is quite the opposite – as demonstrated by the spectacular fall in earnings and share prices of leading uranium miner Cameco.

Northern Territory govt is bringing in  a levy on mining companies, to raise money to clean up defunct old mines, like the still radioactive Rum Jungle uranium mine.  It’s not going to be enough money – but this is still  a welcome recognition that uranium mining companies should not get away scotfree,   leaving their radioactive mess.

Victorian Health Department finds that wind turbines do not cause illness, but  Premier Napthine and the Victorian Liberal govt apparently do not believe this, and are retaining the restrictions on wind farm development.   However, a big global fund, Denham Capital Management, is joining with others to create  OneWind Australia – investing in wind energy in New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania.

May 9, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews