June 2014 date for Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan court hearing
Date set for court fight over Muckaty nuclear waste dump http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/court-date-set-for-nuclear-waste-dump-fight/4912730 26 Aug 2013, A date has been set in the Federal Court case of Aboriginal traditional owners fighting plans to use their land as a nuclear waste dump.
The site on Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory is the Federal Government’s preferred site for Australia’s first radioactive waste facility. Beyond Nuclear Initiative spokeswoman Natalie Wasley says the month-long trial has been listed for June 2014.
“After eight years that’s a big relief for traditional owners and the community who have had this nuclear cloud hanging over their heads,” she said.
She says submissions being made this week will determine whether pre-trial evidence needs to be taken. Ms Wasley says those involved are hoping the trial would be held near the proposed site.
“It’s very important for people that they give the best evidence possible, and of course that it’s close to the site that’s being discussed,” she said.
Surge in support for the Australian Greens
Essential: Greens surge keeps the major parties deadlocked CRIKEY, BERNARD KEANE | AUG 26, 2013 AN UNEXPECTED SURGE TO THE GREENS HAS SEEN LABOR AND THE COALITION’S PRIMARY VOTE DROP, LEAVING THE ELECTION OUTCOME IN THE BALANCE.
Labor’s primary vote has fallen markedly, according to new polling from Essential Research, but to the benefit of the Greens rather than than the opposition. It leaves the two-party preferred on 50:50 less than a fortnight from the election…..(registered readers only) http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/08/26/essential-greens-surge-keeps-the-major-parties-deadlocked/
Vote Compass finds confusion in Australian electorate about climate change action
Climate change looms as challenge for all parties http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/antony-green-vote-compass-climate-change/4909774 You need to go to this site to see details explained in excellent graphics By Antony Green 26 Aug 2013, “……By proposing to bring forward the market price mechanism to 2014, the Rudd government has tried to address the cost of living issues associated with the carbon tax. It has also tried to return the issue to again being about climate change, rather than tax and the economy.
The change of wording from tax to price has not removed the political divisions created by the issue, as revealed by the results of questions on the issue in Vote Compass.
Vote Compass put the proposition to respondents that “the federal government should put a price on carbon” and asked them to agree or disagree.
Of the more than 800,000 respondents so far, about 400,000 answered this question as well as providing the demographic data that allows the sample to be weighted against the 2011 Australian Census.
Overall the survey revealed the electorate leaning toward supporting a carbon price, as shown below. (see graphs) Continue reading
New nuclear reactor designs bring new and unexpected dangers
Is Fukushima the new normal for nuclear reactors? the Conversation, Benjamin Sovacool, 27 Aug 13, “….New designs, new problems “……There is some evidence that newer reactor designs and systems are more prone to accidents. Dennis Berry, Director Emeritus of Sandia National Laboratories, explains that the problem with new reactors and accidents is twofold: scenarios arise that are impossible to plan for in simulations, and people make mistakes.
As he put it:
Fabrication, construction, operation, and maintenance of new reactors will face a steep learning curve: advanced technologies will have a heightened risk of accidents and mistakes. The technology may be proven, but people are not.
Former nuclear engineer David Lochbaum has noted that almost all serious nuclear accidents have occurred when operators have little experience with a plant. This makes new systems incredibly risky……….http://theconversation.com/is-fukushima-the-new-normal-for-nuclear-reactors-17391
70,000 jobs for New South Wales, in a positive renewable energy plan – Riverina Greens candidate
Greens 100% renewable energy plan http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-27/greens-10025-renewable-energy-plan/4913920 27 Aug 13 The Greens Candidate for the Riverina says the party’s plan to make NSW electricity supply 100 per cent renewable – isn’t a pipe dream.
The Greens Ros Pragnell was joined by New South Wales Upper House MP John Kaye for the community launch of Solar panels at her home yesterday. Ms Pragnell says the party’s renewable goal is achievable within the next 15 years and will offer significant economic return for the Riverina.
She says renewable energy is the way of the future and residents should take advantage of solar power. “If we phase out fossil fuel electricity and invest in wind power, solar technologies and and energy efficiency we can reap benefits of being a world leader in the clean energy economy,” she said.”Now we believe that’s not a pipedream its possible it’s affordable and it’s essential.”
Ros Pragnell says with the number of jobs in the fossil fuels industry declining – it’s time to make the states electricity supply entirely renewable.
“Fossil fuels are becoming much more expensive to be able to extract, with a greater mechanisation you just don’t have the bodies on the ground to work it,” she said.”With renewable energies we create jobs there’s manufacturing there’s retail, servicing and it’s estimated that 70,000 jobs in NSW could be created.
Japan’s Prime minister urged to quit overseas nuclear marketing jaunt and declare a State of Energency
Lawmaker: Declare ‘State of Emergency’ right away and intervene at Fukushima — Japan Professor: Issue S.O.S. now, it’s really an emergency… Gov’t is utterly lost, international help is needed http://enenews.com/lawmaker-japan-should-declare-state-of-emergency-right-now-and-intervene-at-fukushima-kyoto-professor-govt-should-issue-s-o-s-its-really-an-emergency-they-are-utterly-lost-internati
New York Times,s, August 23, 2013: Opposition lawmakers here have demanded that [Prime Minister Shinzo] Abe stay home and declare a state of emergency. “The nuclear crisis is real and ongoing, yet the government continues to look the other way,” said Yoshiko Kira of the opposition Japan Communist Party, which made significant gains in parliamentary elections last month. “The government should declare a state of emergency right now, and intervene to stop the outflow of contaminated water,” Ms. Kira said at an anti-nuclear rally outside Mr. Abe’s office in Tokyo. Mr. Abe remains popular, and it is uncertain how large a liability the crisis at the Fukushima plant will become for him. But it has become increasingly clear that the latest problems may be too large for the plant’s operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or Tepco, to handle.
Radio Free Europe, Aug 24, 2013: Komei Hosokawa, professor of environmental sociology at Kyoto Seika University in Japan, says that international assistance will be needed to deal with the mounting issues. “TEPCO hasn’t been working very [well] to handle the situation, and the Japanese government is sort of utterly lost,” he says. “The government at the moment is very reluctant to issue an SOS, but I think we should. It’s really an emergency going on.”
See also: Asahi: Japan officially in “state of nuclear emergency” still — Clearly shows Fukushima disaster on going — Crisis far from over… gov’t far too late, commitment far too weak
Before the nuclear industry there was NO background radioactive cesium or iodine
Fukushima: Think Low Level Radiation Is Harmless? Think Again… UKIAH BLOG In Around the web on August 25, 2013Time to combat radiation threat From WASHINGTON’S BLOG
“……..Most “Background Radiation” Didn’t Exist Before Nuclear Weapons Testing and Nuclear Reactors Nuclear apologists pretend that we get a higher exposure from background radiation (when we fly, for example) or x-rays then we get from nuclear accidents.
In fact, there was exactly zero background radioactive cesium or iodine before above-ground nuclear testing and nuclear accidents started.
Wikipedia provides some details on the distribution of cesium-137 due to human activities:
Small amounts of caesium-134 and caesium-137 were released into the environment during nearly all nuclear weapon tests and some nuclear accidents, most notably the Chernobyl disaster.
Caesium-137 is unique in that it is totally anthropogenic. Unlike most other radioisotopes, caesium-137 is not produced from its non-radioactive isotope, but from uranium. It did not occur in nature before nuclear weapons testing began. Continue reading
Chris Sobey, Greens candidate, advocates renewable energy for the Murray River region
Renewable energy ‘in 15 years’ Border Mail By DAVID JOHNSTON Aug. 27, 2013 NSW Greens MP John Kaye yesterday used the launch of the campaign of Farrer candidate, Chris Sobey, to promote the party’s push to make the state electricity supply 100 per cent renewable.
Dr Kaye and second-time candidate Mrs Sobey used the backdrop of the Murray River to sell the virtues of a 100 per cent renewable energy future within 15 years…… Mrs Sobey contested the 2007 federal poll and stood in the NSW election in the same year.
“We have let the health of the river go for too long,” she said. “The news from the climate people is shocking. “The extreme is going to become the normal. “The cost of bushfires, drought and flood relief in the long run all increases the gross domestic product.
“We should be prepared to use debt to change things over to renewable energy and increase the GDP by building things.” http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1733034/renewable-energy-in-15-years/?
Yes, Virginia, renewables could power Australia – Australian Energy Market Operator
An Australia Powered By Renewables Feasible – AEMO http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php? 27 Aug 13, main_page=news_article&article_id=3909 A recently released study by the Australian Energy Market Operator finds it is likely to be technically feasible for the National Electricity Market (NEM) to be ‘fuelled entirely by renewable resources’ in 2030.
The study notes that our sunburnt country has some of the world’s best wind resources and the highest level of average solar radiation per square metre of any continent.
It looks at two scenarios with varying degrees of transformation and demand. The study finds that retail prices for electricity would rise from current levels by around 6.6 to 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) for Scenario 1, and 8 to 8.5c/kWh for Scenario 2.
Commenting on the study, University of New South Wales research associate Jenny Riesz told Fairfax Media, “We’re exposed to rising carbon prices, we’re exposed to rising gas prices. What this is saying is, that for around the same price you can build 100 per cent renewable energy and completely protect yourselves from all those risks.”
The study suggests that such a system would require 2,400 to 5,000 square kilometres of land, but points out that renewables tend to have a small footprint in the areas they occupy, “leaving much of the surrounding land available for agriculture and other uses”.
In its modelling, it shows up to 23 terawatt-hours being produced by rooftop solar panel systems in 2030 and up to 35 terrawatt-hours in 2050. How much participation this translates to is unclear – i.e. the percentage of suitable rooftops for solar being utilised for power generation. Full utilisation could perhaps have a significant impact on land usage requirements stated and associated infrastructure required to be built.
The study points out any figures quoted should be considered bearing in mind the unpredictable nature of social, economic and political changes that may occur over the coming decades.
The “100 per cent renewables study: community summary” can be viewed in full here.
Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy in harmony with ARENA and Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Details of the policy include an important role for the existing Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). It will be allocated the funds to manage a competitive tender program whereby projects that can demonstrate that their business plans are feasible will receive financial and logistical support as they need it through stages of business development and project implementation. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), which currently facilitates large-scale clean energy development, is also expected to play a key role in enabling communities to get their projects off the ground sooner.
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13,Originally published on The Community Power Report.by Manny Pasqualini A huge step toward establishing a viable community-owned renewable energy sector in Australia has been taken with The Australian Greens launching their Community Renewable Energy policy in a joint media event co-hosted by the Fund Community Energy campaign and representatives of inner-Melbourne’s community solar projects, including Moreland, Yarra, and LIVE Community Solar.
Announced on the 21st August at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market, the ‘Australian Community Renewable Energy Program’ pledges $100 million over 5 years as seed-funding for feasibility grants, project management and specialist expertise to be accessed by emerging locally-owned and operated clean energy projects.
Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne spoke of the initiative’s potential to give local communities the power to generate their own power by opening up the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Australians to own and benefit from renewable energy. Continue reading
Tasmanians rush for solar energy before Government cuts feed-in tariff
Mr Gilding said anyone who missed the deadline or had missing details would receive only 8c a kWh for feed-in.
He said the group had not lobbied for an extension but said it would be good idea.
Solar firms swamped http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/08/27/386434_tasmania-news.html NICK CLARK | August 27, 2013 SOLAR businesses are battling to beat a Government deadline for taking orders for installation of solar equipment.
TasSolar managing director Nick Walker said he had 30 to 40 potential clients to see before Friday’s cutoff.
“I’m not going to get to everyone because you’ve got to talk to them, work out what to fit and do things properly,” Mr Walker said.
In an announcement about feed-in tariffs on August 18, Energy Minister Bryan Green set down the cut-off date for people who wanted to achieve the 1:1 feed-in tariff.
The 28c a kWh feed-in tariff will apply until December 2018 — but only for those existing owners or those who sign a contract and submit an application to Aurora before close of business on Friday.
I Want Energy managing director Rob Manson said his firm had never been so busy. Continue reading
Japan’s Prime Minister now in Middle East, marketing nuclear technology
So where is the leader of Japan while everyone scrambles to figure out what to do with the urgent problems at the disaster site? He is off selling nuclear power to other countries. PM Abe left Saturday on a 6 day trip to try to sell nuclear power to middle east and African countries. The current disaster that is causing the government to scramble was declared as not having any impact on Abe’s efforts to sell nuclear power. Fukushima may yet be Abe’s final pork cutlet curry.
Fukushima Daiichi Sends Japan Govt. Into Tailspin Simply Info August 26th, 2013 Nobody knows what is going on. TEPCO has announced they are forming yet another task force, this one to deal with their failures to control water at the plant. METI has declared they are taking over the water issues at Daiichi. The political opposition DPJ is launching their own investigation into the water problems at the disaster site. Meanwhile PM Abe is off trying to sell nuclear power on the other side of the world.
TEPCO’s current president will oversee “8 teams” at their Tokyo office and 4 teams at the plant tasked with dealing with the water problems. TEPCO says it will invite experts to the task force but does not explain how. Continue reading
$8 billion subsidies for California’s nuclear plants, and that’s just the beginning
Ask Saint Onofrio discusses the significance of the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act, which limits the costs for nuclear plants by shifting a portion of the liability for an accident from plant operators to taxpayers. Also discussed are decommissioning costs, which fall largely on ratepayers. In the case of San Onofre, closing estimates are in the range of $4.1 billion.
New Report Finds California Nuclear Energy Has Received $8.2 Billion in Federal Subsidies http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/08/26/5149320/new-report-finds-california-nuclear.html DBL Investors examines rationale for subsidizing mature, declining energy sources By DBL Investors SAN FRANCISCO, AUG. 26, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — DBL Investors, a double bottom line venture capital firm, today announced a report revealing that the California nuclear industry has received $8.21 billion in federal subsidies over the last 50 years. The report, Ask Saint Onofrio: Finding What Has Been Lost in A Tale of Two Energy Sources, compares federal subsidies for nuclear energy to those provided for distributed solar energy.
“In keeping with our nation’s tradition of supporting the emergence of new energy sources, federal subsidies were necessary and highly-effective for the early growth of the nuclear industry and have been vital to the recent growth of the nascent distributed solar industry,” said report co-author and Managing Partner of DBL Investors Nancy E. Pfund,
Nuclear energy has received four times more federal support than distributed solar over a period six times as long. While solar is beginning to comprise a significant portion of installed capacity in California, it has received less support than nuclear did in its earliest years. At the same time, the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) has reduced California’s in-state nuclear generation by almost 50 percent.
Pfund adds, “The difference is that despite the declining role of nuclear power in the Golden State, federal subsidies for nuclear have become a perpetuity. Meanwhile, solar subsidies are at risk of ending during the industry’s infancy, even as solar creates thousands of California jobs.” Continue reading
Community Energy Campaign outlines what Greens policy would achieve
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13 “……..Nicky Ison from the Fund Community Energy Campaign welcomed the policy announcement, saying that $100 million in seed-funding has the potential to unlock over $1 billion of investment in communities around Australia. Based on economic modelling commissioned by the Fund Community Energy Campaign and undertaken by Marsden Jacob Associates, The Greens’ $100 million fund would:
- Shepherd more than 250 community owned renewable projects from inception to the investment-ready stage over the next five years
- Unlock over $1 billion worth of investment in communities around Australia
- Install 656MW of community renewable generation
- Offset 1300 kilotonnes of carbon emissions
“This can unleash 1 billion dollars of investment – that’s investment that people like you and I could make, as mums and dads, as renters, as farmers, and the list goes on.” Ms Ison said.
“These projects enable communities to rejuvenate their local economies through keeping investment in their local communities, to be able to tackle climate change at the local level, and finally to be able to address and take charge of their own community’s electricity bills.”
“We need to get projects to a point where they’re investment ready, so that the communities can then invest in themselves, and that’s what this policy announced by The Greens can do.” Ms Ison said.
Fund Community Energy campaigners have met with representatives of all major Australian political parties in recent months as part of a strong nationwide campaign calling for a $50 million fund to support communities through the difficult early stages of renewable energy project development. The campaign applauds the $100 million proposal and calls on all parties to follow suit and recognise the wide-ranging benefits that community renewable energy can provide for all Australians. http://cleantechnica.com/2013/08/26/australian-greens-community-renewable-energy-policy/#VAo2bjRwV0LjliDL.99
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 