$6000 a day to one US advisor to Australia on getting nuclear submarines. How much to the 3 new ones?
American-dominated panel advising government on submarines as Defence eyes US and UK choices for nuclear fleet, By defence correspondent Andrew Greene, ABC, 25Oct 21.
Three senior American shipbuilding executives are being paid to advise Australia on submarines, but the defence department and government are refusing to say what their work involves or how much they are costing.
Key points:
- Defence is refusing to discuss the role or salaries of the American officials on the Submarine Advisory Committee
- Senators are expected to examine the work of the submarine committee during Senate Estimates hearings this week
- Industry insiders believe the submarine committee needs a British official given the UK’s role in AUKUS
Senators are this week expected to grill officials over the role of the Submarine Advisory Committee, which was formed by the Turnbull government in 2017, a year after a French company was selected for the now dumped $90 billion Attack-class program.
……… Over the next year and a half, the defence department’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force will work with Australia’s British and American AUKUS partners to identify the best way to acquire a fleet to replace the scrapped French project……. Retired Admiral Donald Kirkland, Jim Hughes and Donald McCormack are all veterans of the US shipbuilding sector and their current three-year appointments to the committee are due to end in May 2024.
Admiral Kirkland is the chairman of American company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), which builds US Virginia-class submarines, Mr Hughes has also worked for HII, and Mr McCormack is an executive director at the US military’s Naval Sea Systems Command.
Questions sent by the ABC to the defence department last week concerning how much Submarine Advisory Committee members are paid, and what interactions they now have with the Nuclear-Powered task force, remain unanswered.
While Defence is yet to respond to questions about remuneration, an 18-month contract from 2018 uncovered by the ABC, shows Admiral Kirkland was paid $675,000 for his advisory services.
Earlier this month, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead confirmed his secretive “Capability Enhancement Review” completed ahead of the Morrison government’s nuclear submarine announcement had not worked with the advisory committee.
Jostling between British and American companies for Australia’s future nuclear-powered fleet is well underway with early debate emerging over whether a US Virginia-class or UK Astute-class submarine is the best base model
Defence industry insiders are now privately questioning whether the government will appoint any British experts to the Submarine Advisory Panel given the United Kingdom’s membership of AUKUS and the country’s extensive experience with nuclear boats.
Last month, it was revealed former US Navy Secretary Donald Winter was being paid $US6,000 a day as an advisor to the federal government on shipbuilding matters.Defence industry insiders are now privately questioning whether the government will appoint any British experts to the Submarine Advisory Panel given the United Kingdom’s membership of AUKUS and the country’s extensive experience with nuclear boats.
Last month, it was revealed former US Navy Secretary Donald Winter was being paid $US6,000 a day as an advisor to the federal government on shipbuilding matters. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-26/american-dominated-panel-advising-nuclear-submarine-fleet/100567052
Farmers fear that Australian climate inaction could jeopardise future export potential
Farmers fear that Australian climate inaction could jeopardise future export potential
For some Australian farmers, climate change is not just a moral or environmental issue – it’s an economic issue.
“Scotty from Marketing” splurges $12.9m advertising climate policies — RenewEconomy
Scott Morrison spends nearly $13 million promoting uptake of renewables in Australia, mostly through policies his government tried to destroy. The post “Scotty from Marketing” splurges $12.9m advertising climate policies appeared first on RenewEconomy.
“Scotty from Marketing” splurges $12.9m advertising climate policies — RenewEconomy
Solar meets more than 100 per cent of local demand in South Australia again — RenewEconomy
Solar meets more than 100 per cent of South Australia state demand again. Rooftop solar alone may also reach that benchmark anytime soon. The post Solar meets more than 100 per cent of local demand in South Australia again appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Solar meets more than 100 per cent of local demand in South Australia again — RenewEconomy
Modeller used to attack Labor policies hired to “verify” Taylor’s net zero modelling — RenewEconomy
Consultant who produced modelling used to attack Labor Party climate policies hired to “validate” Morrison government’s net zero modelling. The post Modeller used to attack Labor policies hired to “verify” Taylor’s net zero modelling appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Modeller used to attack Labor policies hired to “verify” Taylor’s net zero modelling — RenewEconomy
Australian low-carbon lithium processing tech aims for “sustainable” battery market — RenewEconomy
NSW start-up aims to establish a foothold in the massive global battery supply chain with its Australian made, low-carbon lithium processing technology. The post Australian low-carbon lithium processing tech aims for “sustainable” battery market appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australian low-carbon lithium processing tech aims for “sustainable” battery market — RenewEconomy
Net-zero target is win to savour, but must be matched by greater ambition for 2030 — RenewEconomy
There are no excuses – Scott Morrison must also take a revised 2030 target to Glasgow. The post Net-zero target is win to savour, but must be matched by greater ambition for 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Net-zero target is win to savour, but must be matched by greater ambition for 2030 — RenewEconomy
October 25 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “Covid Looms Over Crucial Climate Talks As Some Leaders Snub The Event” • In the battle against climate change, the summit in Glasgow is still of vital importance, but there is now a question about whether it will adequately flesh out the 2015 Paris Agreement. Some G20 countries have not disclosed their plans […]
October 25 Energy News — geoharvey
ULEZ expansion will improve Londoners’ health, but it will also reduce climate risks for all of us — Inside track
This post is by Varya Clark, co-founder of the Climate Acceptance Studios. Today, the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expands dramatically. It will be eighteen times the size of the previous ULEZ, stretching all the way from the North to the South Circular roads. As Auto Express says: “If you’re unfamiliar with London, that’s most […]
ULEZ expansion will improve Londoners’ health, but it will also reduce climate risks for all of us — Inside track
‘We have left it too late’: COP26 unlikely to limit warming to 1.5C, scientists warn
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‘We have left it too late’: COP26 unlikely to limit warming to 1.5C, scientists warn
Scientists say a target of 2C of warming will be nearly impossible to reach unless the world commits to reaching net zero emissions even sooner.
UN warns world ‘way off track’ as greenhouse gases grow
UN warns world ‘way off track’ as greenhouse gases grow
Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record in 2020, the U.N. weather agency said on Monday, warning that the world was “way off track” for capping rising temperatures.
The world is nowhere near to kicking its dirtiest habit
The world is nowhere near to kicking its dirtiest habit
Thomas Biesheuvel and Samuel Dodge
Never in human history has a tonne of coal cost more. Governments and utilities across the globe are willing to pay record sums to literally keep the lights on. That’s the bruising reality that global leaders must face at the high-stakes climate talks in Glasgow this month as hopes fade for a deal to end the world’s reliance on the dirtiest fuel.
Nuclear news – week to 25 October
Miles too long this week. But, in the lead-up to Cop26 I think it’s important to note climate policies , and to recognise the movements towards energy conservation and genuinely clean energy. The nuclear spotlight is on Britain this week, with much brouhaha about small nuclear reactors, (though they’re not actually small, and not much government investment is actually going in to them, – nor are they attracting private investors)
Pandemic news around the world.
The climate disaster is here. Earth is already becoming unlivable. Will governments act to stop this disaster from getting worse? The Kids Are Not Alright.
It’s hard to find ”good” news, but a lot of good work is being done, in climate activism. And also in genuinely clean energy. seehttps://reneweconomy.com.au/
AUSTRALIA.
Nuclear. Australian Labor Party has no intention of developing nuclear power. David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture – a National Party enthusiast for the nuclear industry. On economics, nuclear power just doesn’t stack up – Labor’s Shadow Minister for Climate Change.
Nuclear and climate. Nuclear power? It’s of zero use to Australia’s emissions plan. National Party may demand that nuclear power be part of Scott Morrison’s ”net zero by 2050” aim. Australia set to disappoint key allies on 2030 emissions target.
Submarines. Concern in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN ) about Australia’s nuclear submarines. No safety assessment for nuclear submarines in Adelaide
Australia’s pro nuclear lobby revs up its propaganda, with News Corpse, but it’s short on facts. The nuclear industry’s new spin is the same old outdated propaganda. Nuclear propagandist Kevin Scarce back on the bandwagon. Kevin Scarce again shows his nuclear ignorance and misinformation.
Nuclear waste shipment to come from UK to Lucas Heights. Kimba agricultural group supports nuclear waste stored at Lucas Heights, rejects dump on farming land.
Greenland to reinstate its ban on uranium mining.
Coalition avoids meltdown over emissions target – but at what price? National Party did a secret climate deal with Morrison, but nuclear power was not included.
INTERNATIONAL
Impact of the pandemic – women, and people of colour now losing their jobs in the area of Nuclear Policy .
UK High Court Should Deny Extradition Because CIA Planned to Assassinate Assange. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Assange
There are no real climate leaders yet – who will step up at Cop26? – Greta Thunberg. Cop26: ‘World conflict and chaos’ could be the result of a summit failure. ICLEI launches its 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Energy Compact.
Renewable not radioactive – Joint organizational statement prior to the COP26 Climate Summit. Nuclear power has no place in a green energy future-because of – time delay, success of renewables, huge costs, dangers, weapons connection, and wastes.
Nuclear power has no place in a healthy, sustainable future- IPPNW. Research shows that a rapid truly green energy transformation will quickly achieve a near-net-zero emissions energy system. Insurance industry not convinced that nuclear power is ”green”, and is wary of nuclear as an investment risk.
James Hansen says nuclear power is answer to climate. Is he right?
Simulated space radiation causes ill effects on central nervous system of male mice. More evidence that space radiation may be harmful to the male brain.
OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the North-East Atlantic discreetly postpones its commitment to reduce radioactive discharges at sea .
Kevin Scarce again shows his nuclear ignorance and misinformation
Dr. Jim Green, national nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth Australia, ‒ 25 October 2021
“Kevin Scarce led the 2015/16 South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. His claims in News Corp papers today (and a Sky News interview) are dripping with ignorance.
“Scarce calls for a Royal Commission into nuclear energy, but we’ve already had one. Scarce should know ‒ he was the Royal Commissioner. The 2016 report found that nuclear power generation “would not be commercially viable in SA under current market rules”.
“The Royal Commission called on the SA government to lobby for the repeal of federal laws banning nuclear power. That recommendation was rejected by the Weatherill Labor Government. More recently, the SA Liberal Government’s 2019 submission to a federal nuclear inquiry said that “nuclear power remains unviable now and into the foreseeable future.”
“What makes Scarce think he is qualified to comment on whether or not Australia can reach a net zero emission target by 2050 without nuclear power? Scarce has net zero expertise and net zero qualifications to comment on the matter. Scarce appears to be ignorant about a wealth of relevant research on Australia’s renewable energy potential such as the Business Council of Australia’s recent report which argues for a rapid, renewables-led decarbonisation.
“Scarce also appears to be ignorant about progress in South Australia, with the SA Liberal Government not only ruling out nuclear power as being unviable now and into the foreseeable future, but also enthusiastically pursuing a goal of net 100% renewables by 2030.
“Scarce doesn’t even know what his own Royal Commission said. He claims that small modular reactors are lower cost than large-scale nuclear generation. In fact, the Royal Commission found that power produced by small modular reactors based on the NuScale design would cost a hopelessly uneconomic A$225 per megawatt-hour. To put that into context, the Minerals Council of Australia says that small modular reactors won’t find a market unless they can produce power at a cost of A$60-$80 per megawatt hour.
“Renewables coupled with storage are cheaper than nuclear as CSIRO found in a 2020 report:
* Nuclear (small modular): A$258-338 per megawatt hour.
* Wind or solar PV with 2‒6 hours storage (battery or pumped hydro): A$84‒151 per megawatt hour.
“Likewise, Peter Farley, a fellow of the Australian Institution of Engineers, concludes that Australia can get equivalent renewable power plus backup power (e.g. pumped hydro or battery storage) for one-third of the cost of nuclear power, in one-third of the time.
“Scarce’s handling of the Royal Commission was deeply biased and disgraceful. For example its main recommendation was that SA should establish a nuclear waste import and dumping business but Scarce’s report said almost nothing about the chemical explosion which shut down the only deep underground nuclear waste repository in the world, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan in the USA.
“The farcical engineering of a positive economic case to proceed with the nuclear waste import plan was ridiculed by ABC journalist Stephen Long. After the Royal Commission, the SA Parliament released a report by the Nuclear Economics Consulting Group which noted that the Royal Commission’s economic analysis failed to consider important issues which “have significant serious potential to adversely impact the project and its commercial outcomes”.
“Friends of the Earth would welcome the opportunity to publicly debate Scarce to expose his nuclear ignorance and misinformation,” Dr. Green concluded.
1.This month
PETITION – Stop Nuclear Submarines for Australia
GO to https://www.foe.org.au/nonuclearsubs?fbclid=IwAR3JuFtAviP_kTDb5YX3lxHDZymQu86RWp9eW4zUWb9GV966nha3VeyFvCU The Morrison government’s decision to build nuclear submarines has shocked communities around the country.
The move, which occurred without any community consultation, undermines Australia’s nuclear-free status and will generate radioactive waste for decades.
The Prime Minister must reverse the decision to build nuclear-powered submarines and commit to keeping Australia’s military nuclear free.
global pandemic, both locally and throughout our region and on urgent action to deal with the climate crisis.
Read more about the background of this nuclear submarine proposal and why this radical shift in military capability is the wrong decision for those who care about environmental and social justice.
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For updates: see Adelaide group Don’t Dump on SA https://www.facebook.com/dontdumponsa
No Radioactive Waste Facility for Kimba District https://www.facebook.com/noradwastekimba
For international nuclear news go to https://nuclear-news.net
Appeal for Australian Government’s Actions on Japan’s Dumping Nuclear Wastewater into Sea
Submissions to the Senate Committee Inquiry into National Radioactive Management Amendment Bill. 2020. Go to our summaries of significant submissions, conveniently listed in alphabetical order at Kimba waste dump submissions or see all submissions listed at Read the Submissions
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Submissions to the Senate Committee Inquiry into National Radioactive Management Amendment Bill. 2020. Go to our summaries of significant submissions, conveniently listed in alphabetical order at Kimba waste dump submissions or see all submissions listed at Read the Submissions
