Comedy time in Australia for climate news?
Tough times for Australia’s comic writers, as the news is out-doing them these days with a nudge and a wink, and Federal Liberal politicians in a post-budget turmoil.
I can even get a bit of black humour out of Prime Minister Tony Abbott pressing on with his campaign against climate change action and renewable energy, while at the same time, Eastern Australia is getting its warmest, driest May on record, with the forecast of more to come.
Tony Abbott, settling in to his anti-climate action policies is like that proverbial frog, sitting comfortably in ever heating water, not realising that he is going to be cooked. Not that this is Abbott’s immediate biggest worry – but I’m betting that later this year, it will be. It’s just a pity that farmers, bush-fire victims, flood victims, have to pay the price, as Australia becomes an international disgrace, due to our fool of a Prime Minister.
But – on to some good news, for a change. The unique and beautiful giant cuttlefish is back in its breeding grounds at the top of Spencer Gulf, South Australia. Its numbers had dwindled, and if BHP Billiton’s desalination plant had gone ahead, that would have been the finish for this iconic Australian animal- found in no other place. (The desal plant was part of BHP’s now-ditched, grandiose Olympic Dam uranium mine plan).
A certain irony – Rio Tinto famous for its uranium/nuclear industry is now finding that solar energy is its best option for its remote Weipa bauxite mine.
I spare you a repetition of all the climate and renewable energy programs to be destroyed by the Abbott government. But I think that they’re in trouble when conservative groups – rural citizens and the Australian Industry Group (AIG) speak out in favour of the Renewable Energy Target.
Rio Tinto finds that solar is the best way to power Queensland off-grid mine
Rio Tinto to deploy 6.7MW solar PV + storage at off-grid mine
REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 22 May 2014 A ground-breaking, $23.4 million project to cut out daytime diesel consumption at Rio Tinto bauxite mine at Weipa could unlock billions of dollars of similar investments in the mining industry – which is weighed down by soaring energy costs.
Mining giant Rio Tinto is to host a $23.4 million solar PV plus storage facility at its Weipa bauxite mine, that is the first of its type and scale in the world and could unleash billions of dollars of similar investment. Rio Tinto Alcan – with the help of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency – is to install a 1.7MW solar PV array at its Weipa bauxite mine later this year, and then add a further 5MW of solar PV and battery storage.
The Weipa mine is located on the Cape York Peninsula at the very northern tip of eastern Australia, and relies on expensive diesel that has to be shipped in.
The first phase of the solar project – to be built with First Solar thin-film modules and constructed by Australian solar firm Ingenero – is expected to reduce daytime diesel demand from the mine’s 26MW diesel generator by up to 20 per cent.
However, the addition of more solar and storage to balance out intermittency could reduce daytime diesel consumption altogether at certain times.
The Weipa project was the first of around 70 submissions – worth several billion dollars of investment – from mining operators in Australia for funding for such ground breaking projects under ARENA’s $400 million remote energy program.
The ending of the commodities boom has made miners more focused on energy costs. Continue reading
Finland’s huge new Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant has become an expensive farce
Government faces two in-principle decisions on nuclear power http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/10691-government-faces-two-in-principle-decisions-on-nuclear-power.html 22 May 14, The Government faces two new in-principle decisions on nuclear power projects, after Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) announced on Tuesday that it will request an extension to the in-principle decision granted for the construction of a fourth reactor at the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant and a new time limit for filing the building permit application.
“[Work on] Olkiluoto 3 has been delayed to the extent that we can’t make any big decisions on Olkiluoto 4. All the conditions and grounds for Olkiluoto 4 remain in tact. It’s only a question of timing,” explains Jorma Tanhua, the CEO at TVO.
Under the current in-principle decision, TVO must apply for a building permit for Olkiluoto 4 by the end of June 2015.
TVO has asked for the time limit to be extended by five years. In addition, the Government must take a new in-principle decision on the nuclear power project of Fennovoima in Pyhäjoki due to the withdrawal of Germany’s E.ON from the project.
If the in-principle decisions are granted, the Parliament can either rescind or approve the decisions as such.
The Minister of Economic Affairs, Jan Vapaavuori (NCP), says that it is now necessary to consider whether such a notable extension can be granted to TVO. “It’s obvious that if more time is granted, it can’t be as much as five years,” he views.
Vapaavuori on Tuesday also underlined that the Government must consider the applications of both TVO and Fennovoima sooner rather than later in order to be able to present them to the Parliament in the autumn.
“We may even have to consolidate the schedules of the projects. If both are approved by the Government, they’ll be presented to the Parliament in the same context,” he said.
Ville Niinistö, the Minister of the Environment, believes the in-principle decisions on nuclear power have become a farce. Nuclear power, he argues, is no longer pertinent or economically cost-effective.
Olli Pohjanpalo, Petri Sajari – HS
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
© HELSINGIN SANOMAT
Fossil fuel funded groups lobby aggressively use propaganda against renewable energy
New Report Exposes Fossil Fuel Front Groups Behind Attacks on Renewables http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/05/22/new-report-exposes-fossil-fuel-interest-groups-behind-clean-energy-attacks Fossil fuel exploitation in the United States has reached a fevered pitch. Oil production is at a near-record high, and fracking activities have made the U.S.the number one producer of natural gas. All of this comes at a cost. In 2013, the oil industry averaged 20 oil spills per day, destroying countless swaths of the environment and leaving toxic chemicals for nearby residents to deal with. Meanwhile, oil and gas train derailments have totaled at least 11 in the last 11 months.
During this period of dirty energy dominance, investments in renewable energy continued to fall by 14% in 2013. The United States is averaging 20 oil spills per day, 1 dirty energy transport train derailment and explosion per month, and yet we’re still doubling down on fossil fuels.
This all seems fairly shocking, until you peel back the curtain on who is behind the efforts to keep renewable energy solutions out of the picture, which is exactly what a new report has done. The Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) has released a report detailing not only the fossil fuel front groups behind the attacks on clean energy, but also how they are able to use their money and political muscle to prevent a viable market for clean energy, limiting energy choices for consumers.
From the report, Attacks on Renewable Energy Standards and Net Metering Policies By Fossil Fuel Interests & Front Groups 2013-2014:
The fossil fuel lobby aggressively uses lobbying and propaganda to achieve their goals. Self-identified “free market think tanks” are among the most effective advocates for the fossil fuel industry to lobby for policy changes. Dozens of these so-called free market organizations, a majority of which are members of the State Policy Network (SPN), worked to influence state level energy policies and attack the clean energy industry…
Fossil fuel-funded front groups operate in multiple areas to influence the policy-making process in their attempts to eliminate clean energy policies. Continue reading
Renewed political opposition to nuclear power in India
Left parties turns up heat on Kovvada nuclear plant, The Hindu NATIONAL » ANDHRA PRADESH SRIKAKULAM, May 23, 2014 Setting up the plant in seismic zone a threat to people, they say. CITU leader D. Govinda Rao said that workers, residents of Ranasthalam would launch massive agitations soon to oppose the construction activity in Kovvada.
The Left parties have turned the heat on the construction of a nuclear power project in Kovvada of Ranasthalam mandal again after mild tremor rattles the district on Wednesday saying that the project site comes under highly seismic zone and it would be dangerous for the people.
Representatives of the Left Parties have asked the government to reconsider its decision over the establishment of the nuclear plant in the district. Senior CPI (M) leader V.G.K. Murthy said that the government should clarify over the dangers posed with the setting up the nuclear plant in a seismic zone. “The Nuclear Power Corporation of India officials always say that adequate precautions would be taken up to avoid disasters during natural calamities. We feel that such disasters can’t be avoided even in highly advanced countries. So, the government should come up with scientific data to clear the doubts of people,” he added.
CITU leader D. Govinda Rao said that workers, residents of Ranasthalam would launch massive agitations soon to oppose the construction activity in Kovvada. He said that several nuclear experts including Surendra Gadekar had already expressed doubts over the safety of the project. Mr. Surendra Gadekar on Sunday cautioned that Srikakulam town would be affected badly with the establishment of nuclear power plant at Kovvada, which is 35 km away from the district headquarters.
According him, Srikakulam, which is very close to Kovvada, would face radiation problem with the establishment of the nuclear power plant with an installed capacity of 10,000 Megawatts…..http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/left-parties-turns-up-heat-on-kovvada-nuclear-plant/article6037482.ece
Victoria’s Ararat wind farm project in jeopardy, due to uncertainty over Renewable Energy Target
Wind future up in the air with renewable energy target uncertainty http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2301438/wind-future-up-in-the-air-with-renewable-energy-target-uncertainty/?cs=12 By KARA IRVING May 22, 2014, THE developer of the Ararat Wind Farm project believes the federal government’s renewable energy target (RET) review has caused uncertainty among green energy developers, investors and retailers. RES Australia is behind the $450 million Ararat Wind Farm to be built on the Pyrenees Highway about 17 kilometres from Ararat. Head of development Annette Deveson said the ongoing RET review had stirred uncertainty in the green energy sector.
“We are working very hard to get the Ararat Wind Farm ready for construction,” Ms Deveson said. “But the government is causing uncertainty in the industry and for us.” The federal government is currently reviewing the RET to examine the operation, costs and benefits of the scheme.
The RET was developed to ensure 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.
Although a decision had yet to be made about the renewable energy targets, Ms Deveson said the review had caused difficulties for prospective green energy developers. “They are not out there in the market looking for new projects,” she said. “As a business you are uncertain of your future market.”
Ms Deveson said the potential change impacted on investor confidence. Ararat Rural City Council last Friday made a submission to the RET review to pledge the importance of the project.
Mayor Paul Hooper said it was likely the wind farm would not be built because of the review. “The project will create 13 full time jobs after the construction has finished,” he said. “About $75,000 will be put back into community grants.”Mr Harper said the Ararat community would miss out if the project were to cease.“We will not see those benefits come to town, nor the long term employment opportunities,” he said.
“The community misses out.” kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Renewable Energy Target must stay – call by Australia’s sugar industry
Sugar industry calls for Renewable Energy Target to stay http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-22/sugar-industry-calls-for-renewable-energy-target-to-stay/5471258 22 May 14, Sugar millers say any move to scrap the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Target would be a ‘retrograde’ step.
Set up under the Howard government with the goal of having 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity generated through renewable sources by 2020, the RET scheme is currently under review.
The Australian Sugar Milling Council, in a meeting with the review panel today in Brisbane, described the program as being ‘absolutely critical’ for the industry.
ASMC chief executive Dominic Nolan, says the sugar industry has invested heavily in renewable energy and the current uncertainty surrounding the scheme’s future, places further development in jeopardy. “The sugar milling sector has invested over $300 million over the past 5 years [and] we’ve got more than $1 billion identified for further investment in energy efficiency and co-generation.”
The review is considering what role the RET scheme has had on reducing emissions and its impact on electricity prices as well as the costs and benefits to industry.
Mr Nolan insists any change to the current scheme could force sugar millers to ‘undo’ their more recent advances in burning the fibrous by-product ‘bagasse’, to produce electricity for the national grid.
He says the industry would take a $35 million hit in lost revenue and there would be no cost incentive for millers to be more energy efficient.
“We export 80 per cent of what we make, we price our sugar on the global market, we live and die on the basis of our cost of production.
“Our major competitors, Brazil, Thailand and even India, are heavily down the path around co-generation and biofuels and we need to keep pace in order to maintain our international competitiveness.”
India’s new Prime minister Modi pledges solar power in every home by 2019
Modi to Use Solar to Bring Power to Every Home by 2019 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-19/modi-to-use-solar-to-bring-power-to-every-home-by-2019.html By Rakteem Katakey and Debjit Chakraborty May 18, 2014 India’s new government led b yNarendra Modi plans to harness solar power to enable every home to run at least one light bulb by 2019, a party official said.
“We look upon solar as having the potential to completely transform the way we look at the energy space,” said Narendra Taneja, convener of the energy division at Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which swept to power on May 16 in the biggest electoral win in three decades. About 400 million people in India lack access to electricity, more than the combined population of the U.S. and Canada. The outgoing government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh missed a 2012 target to provide electricity to all households.
The five-year goal will require the cooperation of state-level administrations with which the central government shares control over the power industry, Taneja said. If successful, solar panels could allow every home to have enough power to run two bulbs, a solar cooker and a television, he said.
Expanding clean-power generation will be the administration’s top energy-related priority, especially solar because it has the potential to create jobs and supply millions of scattered households not connected to the grid, he said.
Modi, as chief minister of Gujarat state, pioneered India’s first incentives for large-scale solar power in 2009. The party will take lessons from Gujarat’s program as it designs policies on a national level that will include both larger, grid-connected photovoltaic projects and smaller, decentralized applications for solar, Taneja said.
To contact the reporters on this story: Rakteem Katakey in New Delhi atrkatakey@bloomberg.net; Debjit Chakraborty in New Delhi at dchakrabor10@bloomberg.net
Australian climate activism goes local, and rural
Climate activism research shows new move to localism ABC Rural News 23 May 14, The protesters at various mine sites around northern NSW, and the way local farmers are actually quite supportive of the protests, are all part of a relatively new phenomenon in terms of climate activism.
Joint research by the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney has found a new focus for climate change activism, localism.
Assoc Professor James Goodman University of Technology Sydney is one of the authors and researchers involved in a new book that looks at the issue.
“We have seen more and more evidence of farmers concerned about their rights when faced with mining companies demands to drill, about their right to farm and the impact of mining on water quality and aquifers. “We are seeing two types of protesters; those worried about local impacts on their environment, health and their community and others worried about the impacts on the wider environment and the longer term, the next 20 or 30 years.
“At some of those Maules Creek and Bentley protests, we are seeing the two groups come together.
“There has been a shift in focus away from the big picture to the local………..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-22/nrn-climate-activism-research-22-05-14/5471028
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 