Poor uranium market, and Labor policy – French nuclear giant AREVA not to explore in Queensland
French abandon Far North uranium prospects DANIEL BATEMAN THE CAIRNS POST MARCH 18, 2015 ONE of the world’s largest uranium producers is pulling out of the Far North following the State Government’s renewed ban on uranium mining.
Areva Resources Australia has confirmed it is in the process of relinquishing its 
exploration projects in Queensland on “technical” grounds.
Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham has said a statewide prohibition will once again be put in place over uranium mining, forcing several companies to shelve development plans.
Areva had been exploring in the Karumba and Carpentaria basins since about 2012.
Areva Resources Australia managing director Joe Potter said the company would not be applying for new exploration tenements in Queensland in the near future, in light of the recent state policy changes and general downturn in the uranium market…….
Australian Conservation Foundation Northern Australia program officer Andrew Picone welcomed the return of a ban and the departure of Areva.
“The fact that Areva have pulled up stumps in Queensland’s Gulf only illustrates the market’s global contraction,’’ he said. http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/french-abandon-far-north-uranium-prospects/story-fnjpusdv-1227266987603
Jo Vallentine -a world first when elected to the Senate on a platform of nuclear disarmament
Take heart: name the sixteenth Western Australian federal electorate ‘Vallentine’ This year marks the 30th anniversary of Jo Vallentine’s historic election to the Australian senate, the first time in the world a person was elected to a parliament on a platform of nuclear disarmament.
Jo Vallentine later went on to be instrumental in establishing The Greens (WA), now the state’s third largest party. She was the first elected representative for the Greens in federal parliament.
Jo Vallentine continues to make an outstanding contribution to our community through a passionate commitment to peace, nonviolence and social justice.
For more information on why this new seat should be called Vallentine and to sign the Greens (WA) petition: http://greenswa.org.au/vallentine.
To make your own submission:
online: http://www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/2014/wa/suggestions.htm
or email to FedRedistribution-WA@aec.gov.au
or mail to PO Box 7081, Cloisters Square PO, WA, 6850
Submissions must be received by AEC by 6pm Friday 10 April 2015
Please contact: Chilla Bulbeck on 0407 165 753 if you need to discuss the submission or have any queries
Companies not keen to take up New South Wales uranium exploration licenses
Slow uptake of NSW uranium exploration licenses http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-18/slow-uptake-of-nsw-uranium-exploration-licenses/6328100 By Jacqueline Breen, 18 Mar 15, Only one of the six companies invited by the State Government to apply for a uranium exploration license has done so. The ban on mining uranium in New South Wales remains in place, but the Coalition has lifted the ban on exploration.
Last year the government invited six companies to apply for licenses to explore for deposits around Broken Hill, Cobar and Dubbo.
Only EJ Resources has submitted an application, seeking three licenses to explore north of Broken Hill.
The other companies–Australian Zirconia, Callabonna Resources, Hartz Rare Earths, Iluka Resources and Marmota Energy–did not apply before the government’s March deadline passed. When the government announced the shortlist last year Resources Minister Anthony Roberts said the state needed a “stock-take” of its uranium resources.
“This will allow us to understand fully what the uranium reserves are in New South Wales,” he said.
If EJ Resources’ license application is successful, the state government’s Division of Energy and Resources said only low impact monitoring that doesn’t disturb land can be carried out, unless further approval is sought.
The division said a land access agreement with landholders must be in place before any exploration begins.
The lethal toxicity of caesium 137
Thus, as little as one third of a gram of Cesium-137, made into microparticles and distributed as a smoke or gas over an area of one square kilometer, will make that square kilometer uninhabitable.
The Implications of The Massive Contamination of Japan With Radioactive Cesium Helen Caldicott Foundation Fukushima Symposium
New York Academy of Medicine, 11 March 2013 “….. A large number of highly radioactive isotopes released by the destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant grossly contaminated the Japanese mainland. Most of these radionuclides had short half lives which meant they would essentially disappear in a matter of days or months. For many of those who were exposed to them there will be major health consequences.
However, there were some radioactive elements that will not rapidly disappear. And it is these long-lived radionuclides that will remain to negatively affect the health of all complex life forms that are exposed to them.
Chief among them is Cesium-137, which has taken on special significance because it is has proven to be the most abundant of the long-lived radionuclides that has remained in the environment following the nuclear disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima. It has a 30 year radioactive half life which is why it persists in the environment. Scientists now believe that it will be 180 to 320 years before the Cesium-137 around the destroyed Chernobyl reactor actually disappears from the environment.
Cesium is water soluble and quickly makes its way into soils and waters. It is in the same atomic family as potassium and it mimics it, acting as a macronutrient. It quickly becomes ubiquitous in contaminated ecosystems.
It is distributed by the catastrophic accidents at nuclear power plants because large quantities of volatile radioactive cesium build up inside the fuel rods of nuclear reactors. Thus any accident at a nuclear reactor that causes the fuel rods to rupture, melt, or burn will cause the release of highly radioactive cesium gas.
Long-lived radionuclides such as Cesium-137 are something new to us as a species. They did not exist on Earth in any appreciable quantities during the entire evolution of complex life. Although they are invisible to our senses they are millions of times more poisonous than most of the common poisons we are familiar with. They cause cancer, leukemia, genetic mutations, birth defects, malformations, and abortions at concentrations almost below human recognition and comprehension. They are lethal at the atomic or molecular level. Continue reading
Western Australia’s huge wind power potential blocked by Federal and State governments
While there are only three large-scale wind farms in WA, smaller community-based operations have been successful at locations including Denmark, Bremer Bay, Rottnest Island, Kalbarri, Denham and Coral Bay.
An expansion of the Albany wind farm means it meets 80 per cent of the town’s power needs.
Wind power: WA wind farms ineffective for renewable energy TREVOR PADDENBURG PERTHNOW MARCH 16, 2015 WA is one of the windiest places on the planet with wide open spaces for wind farms, yet the state remains a renewable energy backwater, latest figures reveal.
Clean Energy Council data for significant wind farm projects shows WA generates less than 500MW of power from a total of 308 turbines around the state.
That’s half of Victoria’s wind generation at 939MW from 454 turbines and well below South Australia, which generates 1205MW of electricity from 561 turbines.
One reason is debate about health effects and noise emissions from wind turbines, even though numerous studies including a recent National Health and Medical Research Council review ruled there was no truth to claims that turbines cause health effects.
Aside from the question of health effects, the wind energy industry in WA is in crisis from a political double whammy, with the Federal Government signalling it wants to scrap Australia’s renewable energy target and the WA Government signing new contracts that tie electricity production to coal.
Estimates put investment in large-scale renewable energy projects in 2014 at 10 per cent of the figure for 2013.
That’s despite the Australian Institute saying wind had the potential to supply 40 per cent of Australia’s energy needs and was now cheaper to produce than coal.
Clean Energy Council policy director Russell Marsh said WA should be a world leader but it remained in the doldrums, underfunded and undervalued by governments fixated on coal.
“WA has a great wind resource and the space. But the review of the renewable energy target has basically closed the industry down,” he said. Continue reading
Impasse on Renewable Energy Target (Abbott’s coal-fired government likes it that way)
AUDIO: Stand-off continues on Australia’s renewable energy target ABC Radio PM Stephanie Smail reported this story on Monday, March 16, 2015 MARK COLVIN: The stand-off over Australia’s renewable energy target continues, despite a looming deadline that could see some companies facing hefty penalties.
In Canberra today, business, clean energy groups and unions indicated they weren’t happy with the current target on offer from the Coalition.
They were meeting the Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. But the Environment Minister Greg Hunt insists that he’s still confident a consensus will be reached.
Stephanie Smail reports. …….http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4198744.htm
Australia’s land needs the cultural knowledge of Aboriginal communities
Evidence for the sustainability of Aboriginal settlements on their lands exists where Aboriginal people are moving increasingly into collaborations with scientists and other researchers to maintain the viability of fragile ecosystems on their lands.
Their role in mapping biodiversity, crucial to maintaining sustainable country in remote places, is unique and without parallel. This activity has important spin-offs in education and employment.
Eighty five percent of the population lives within 50 kilometres of the coastline. This is the voting block that is driving government policies. Thus it is this area of Australia that our present governance system overwhelmingly addresses.
In September 2012 the national organisation Desert Knowledge Australia released a report, Fixing the Hole in Australia’s Heartland, that identifies the defining features of remote Australia. Importantly, it sets out the challenges of governance faced by all nations with similar remote lands.
The project team and the reference group comprise an impressive array of people with considerable knowledge and experience of remote Australia. Notable are the former Minster for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Fred Chaney AO and Dr Peter Shergold AC who was at that time the most senior public servant in Australia.
Above all this report moved away from defining the issues to do with remote Australia as an “Aboriginal problem”. To quote from the report:
The governance of remote Australia should not be cast as an “Aboriginal issue” – it is about ineffective government arrangements, disengagement and national indifference.
These problems are too often perceived only in the context of the dysfunction of remote Aboriginal settlements and seen therefore as purely “Aboriginal” issues rather than issues of government capability. That is a mistake. Many non-Aboriginal Australians face similar issues as a result of their remote location.
I recently interviewed the project coordinator and lead author of the report, Dr Bruce Walker. He admitted the government response to this report has been negligible and disappointing. He is adamant that the need for an Outback Commission recommended in the report is now urgent and critical to address the needs of the people who live in remote Australia……
The Outback’s global significance as we move into the Anthropocene Continue reading
New South Wales’s Labor plans to turn Hunter Valley into a renewable energy hub
NSW election 2015: Turning Hunter into a renewable energy hub http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2953110/turning-the-hunter-into-a-renewable-energy-hub/?cs=12 By MATTHEW KELLY March 18, 2015 THE Labor Party would invest $14 million to help the Hunter become a renewable energy hub, if elected to government.Labor leader Luke Foley said expanding the renewable energy sector was a key component of the party’s plan to combat climate change. Other components of the plan include keeping the state’s electricity network in public hands and legislating for a 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.
It would also invest $37.4 million to replace florescent and incandescent lighting with LED technology in hospitals. It is estimated this would cut power bills by about $72.6 million over 15 years.
‘‘We will focus on obtaining a greater share of our energy needs from renewable sources, which will help address the threat to our environment,’’ Mr Foley said.
‘‘As a state, we must pursue greater energy efficiency and cleaner energy sources.’’
Byron shire and plans for transition to renewable energy
Help Byron transition to renewable energy http://www.echo.net.au/2015/03/help-byron-transition-to-renewable-energy/ Thanks Echo for all the good press on Byron’s vision for being the first shire powered by renewable energy and Mullumbimby the first town.
With the proposed Northern Rivers Energy Company selling only clean renewable energy, of which there is an abundance in Australia, no shortage with our nationwide grid.
COREM (Community Organisation Renewable Energy Mullumbimby) is now functioning and I believe being funded.
The new Byron Eco Park is showing the latest in solar panels, inverters, three-phase power systems running a honey factory and salt water batteries with no toxic materials.
The Eco Park is having a Symposium this Saturday, March 21, from 2 till 7 pm with Dr Tim Flannery heading a round table panel discussion on how we transition to a clean energy economy.
There will be an all-electric car and electric bikes, scooters and a utility vehicle to test drive. Byron New Energy, Transition Towns, Beyond Zero Emissions and solar suppliers will be available for answering questions and providing information on the day.
This will be at the new Byron Eco Park off Grays Lane next to the Tyagarah airfield.
Food and drink will be available and tickets can be obtained online at www.byronsolarrevolution.comor at the door. No one turned away on the day, ask about our special locals plan. See you there.
Noah Yamore, Mullumbimby, for Byron New Energy
Labor ‘s demands for decision on Renewable Energy Target
Shorten Demands Renewable Energy Target Resolution http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/shorten-renewable-energy-em4729/ March 17, 2015 Labor leader Bill Shorten has called on the Liberal Government to resolve the impasse over Australia’s Renewable Energy Target within the next two weeks.
“Since Tony Abbott launched his ambush on renewable energy early last year, Australia’s renewable energy industry has been in crisis,” said Mr. Shorten.
“Something has to happen this fortnight otherwise jobs will go – and Labor is simply not prepared to see that happen.”
Unfortunately, jobs have already gone, with the latest example reported on RenewEconomy just yesterday. According to RenewEconomy’s Giles Parkinson, one of the largest renewable energy developers in Australia, Pacific Hydro, is cutting staff numbers by as much as 25 per cent.
The outcomes of a meeting between Labor and representatives from industry, investors and unions yesterday reinforced Labor’s position on the RET. Labor is demanding that the Small-scale Renewable Scheme (SRES), which provides support for the installation of residential and commercial solar power systems must remain as it currently operates, with a commitment to no policy changes.
The party also wants the removal of current legislated review processes, with the next review to occur for post-2020 renewables. The RET has been subject to ongoing reviews and this is contributing to investor uncertainty.
Labor also wants a commitment to a mid to high 30,000 gigawatt hours Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and more controversially, a 100% exemption to all emissions intensive and trade exposed sectors .
“The future of this industry is too important to fall victim to the Government’s ongoing chaos,” said Mr. Shorten. “The Government’s only position has been to drive investment out of the country and as a result, increase electricity prices and pollution.”
Investment in large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia last year was down 88 per cent to just $240 million – the worst levels we have seen for more than ten years. Australia was ranked in the top four most attractive places to invest in renewable energy in 2013. Less than two years later, the country is now ranked 10th.
On a related topic, the annual share of coal fired generation in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) rose again to reach 74.7 per cent in the year to January 2015. Coal use and related emissions have been rising since the axing of the carbon tax. “Renewable energy is a critical part of the Australia’s future energy mix and key ingredient for economic growth,” said Mr. Shorten. “Labor’s position seeks to lay the foundation for a viable renewable energy industry not just to 2020 but beyond.”
Poor awareness of the dangers to children’s eyes from UV radiation
Although 85 % of Americans recognizing that UV rays can damage the eyes, only 65 % wear sunglasses as protection, and ensure even fewer report that their children wear sunglasses* forzest ranbaxy review .
To parents, carers and other help to understand better, the risks to take with UV irradiation to the eyes and UV exposure UV exposure, Healthy Women, the leading independent health information source for women, offers a free education to minimize resource, Fast Facts for your Health related: The Sun & your Eyes: What You Need to Know. It may take years before you can have a harmful effect of the sun on your eyes, but do some damage may occur on short notice, says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, Fast Facts Healthy Women. This latest in our series of Fast Facts for Your Health resources can help families understand the potential damage that UV can, can cause to their eyes and eyesight. It’s a quick read on the unexpected sources of UV radiation damage as well as simple, practical advice to reduce the risks of UV radiation. .
Giles Parkinson punctures Abbott’s 10 biggest lies on renewable energy
Abbott government’s 10 biggest renewable energy whoppers, 
REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson on 17 March 2015
So we thought we would puncture some of these balloons. There are so many it is hard to know where to start. If you think we have omitted a good’un, please let us know, either through email or on the comments page.
So here we go:………http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/abbott-governments-10-biggest-renewable-energy-whoppers-57445
Abbott govt effectively stall renewable energy as talks drag on
Hot air can be even more expensive than renewable energy, Financial Review, y Jennifer Hewett, 17 Mar 15 “……….CERTAINTY, PREDICTABILITY REQUIRED
Joaquin Mollinedo, chief institutional relations officer of Acciona, says that the company simply requires certainty and predictability before it can proceed with any investment decisions.
That doesn’t seem too much to ask. Apparently, it is in Australia. This is even more perplexing for European companies participating in the global trend towards greater use of renewable energy.
Australian industry is still hoping for an imminent breakthrough after months of negotiation between Labor and the government to try and reach a compromise on a lower number of gigawatt hours. This would include exemptions for heavily emitting industries such as aluminium, cement making and steel – which would otherwise face high penalties.
But any deal is still elusive…….http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/hot-air-can-be-even-more-expensive-than-renewable-energy-20150316-1m0f8s
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 