Week to 23 June in nuclear/climate news – Australia
With a record world increase in coronavirus cases, Brazil and North America in the spotlight – media attention has been rightly focussed on the pandemic. FAIR exposes the false claims about China and COVID-19 . At the same time, global heating seems to be at a runaway pace, affecting the Northern Hemisphere, and especially the Arctic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-gEhYTu4Xs&t=42s To protect our planet – we need to transform, not grow, the economy.
Global nuclear news is mainly just the same old collection of handouts from the nuclear industry, faithfully regurgitated by journalists who want to keep their jobs. Otherwise, not much is happening.
A bit of good news – Coronavirus more than 1500 treatment studies are underway world-wide.
AUSTRALIA
Is Australia getting a second wave of Coronavirus?
NUCLEAR
National Radioactive Waste Management Mysterious, manipulative and corrupt process whereby Napandee was selected for nuclear dump site. Kimba community unaware that Australia’s medicine does not need nuclear reactor. South Australia targeted: easy to later bring international waste in to nuclear dump.
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) sits on the fence regarding Napandee choice for nuclear waste dump.
Senator Rex Patrick provides Federal Parliament with another option for nuclear waste storage. South Australia outlaws nuclear facilities, but yet not one S.A. Liberal MP voted against the waste dump!
Submissions to Senate Inquiry.
- Neville Reid – In a corrupt and undemocratic process, the Napandee nuclear waste decision has ignored environmental safety dangers.
- Carole Faulkner – Senate should reject Nuclear Waste Bill and recommend new consultation involving all Barngarla people
- Kimba farmer, neighbouring Napandee, stands firm against nuclear waste dump on agricultural land.
The seriousness of mobility of radionuclides in developing the nuclear waste facility at Kimba, South Australia
Expensive, dirty and dangerous: why we must fight miners’ push to fast-track uranium. Scott Morrison gives a boost to uranium mining at Olympic Dam.
Gabrielle Costigan- another one revolving from tax-paid jobs to weapons industry!
Coalition’s push to deregulate environmental approvals will lead to extinction crisis will lead to extinction crisis.
CLIMATE CHANGE.
Australia’s best energy measure – to lift energy efficiency – Chief Scientist says. Morrison government just doesn’t get it, on climate change. The number of climate deniers in Australia is more than double the global average, new survey finds. “Too late for gradual transition”: Quiggin calls for coal exit by 2030.
Foreign ownership of Victorian water hits whopping high – Herald Sun
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Renewables will power Australia’s economic growth. South Australia: The first big grid where rooftop solar could eliminate all demand. South Australia fast-tracks energy plan to dodge blackouts and meet 100% renewables goal. Rooftop solar reshapes Western Australia. grid, and retiring coal units won’t be missed Tesla says energy market reform must be accelerated in Australia
INTERNATIONAL
Now, the nuclear arms race has become even worse.
Joint Project Nuclear Risk and Public Control.
Explaining ionising radiation -a film about nuclear fallout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaH5heMIC_k&t=96s
COVID-19, nuclear war, and global warming: lessons for our vulnerable world.
Covid-19 pandemic – ‘fire drill’ for effects of climate crisis. COVID-19 recovery plans – excellent opportunity for global renewable energy development.
The seriousness of mobility of radionuclides in developing the nuclear waste facility at Kimba. South Australia
has the government explained why the reprocessed nuclear waste has been reclassified by ANSTO from high level to intermediate on arrival in Australia ?
has anyone from the community and even the Kimba District Council ever sought any information as to the inventories and movement of the radionuclides in the intermediate level waste for above ground storage at Kimba?
The mobility of radionuclides is probably the prime and initial factor in determining the location and manner of nuclear waste management by storage and disposal
Although nearly thirty years old but still current the Code of practice for the near-surface disposal of radioactive waste in Australia (1992) prescribed radioactive waste hazards as:
The health risk to humans presented by radioactive waste depends upon the radionuclides present, the type of radiation emitted by the particular radionuclides, their concentrations, and their chemical and physical form. The hazard may arise from external irradiation of the body or internally as a result of radioactive substances entering the body by ingestion, inhalation or absorption through the skin. The radioactive waste specifically covered by this code may also present a long-term hazard to the environment and to future generations if disposal is not carried out in a responsible manner.
Even though the Code deals with disposal rather than storage the requirements for both are basically similar with the only difference being the retrieval of the waste as seen from the definitions in the Code being:
Waste disposal means the placement of radioactive waste in a structure and in a manner such that there is no intention of retrieval.
Storage means the emplacement of waste in a facility with the intent and in a manner such that it can be retrieved at a later time.
From this I trust that you understand the seriousness and importance of radionuclides mobility in the selection and development of the management facility at Kimba
IN VIEW OF THIS SOMEONE FROM KIMBA SHOULD FORMALLY IN WRITING ASK THE KIMBA DISTRICT COUNCIL THESE QUESTIONS
COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
THE SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
MINISTER PITT
MR ROWAN RAMSEY MP
ANSTO CEO PATERSON
BARNGARLA IF THOUGHT APPROPRIATE
EXCLUDE ARPANSA AS IT MAY BE COMPROMISING TO IT AND IT WILL IGNORE THE LETTER IN ANY CASE
Questions:
(a) whether there have been any discussions or arrangements regarding fire as a risk at the Kimba facility – had this ever been covered by the government in its presentations as one of the main reasons for underground burial of nuclear waste is to avoid any fire risks?
(b) has the government explained why the reprocessed nuclear waste has been reclassified by ANSTO from high level to intermediate on arrival in Australia ?
(c) has the community ever been informed of the radionuclides movement activity of the intermediate level waste to be sent to Kimba?
(d) what explanation was given as to the radionuclides movement and immobilisation in above the ground storage as opposed to geological burial?
(e) has anyone from the community and even the Kimba District Council ever sought any information as to the inventories and movement of the radionuclides in the intermediate level waste for above ground storage at Kimba?
Antinuclear 