Budget shows penny has dropped on renewables – but $4bn is just a down payment — RenewEconomy
It has been a cathartic week for the clean energy sector. Finally, it feels like someone is listening. But the $4bn pledged in the budget pales against Australia’s rivals. The post Budget shows penny has dropped on renewables – but $4bn is just a down payment appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Budget shows penny has dropped on renewables – but $4bn is just a down payment — RenewEconomy
Swedish renewables giant plans rapid Australia expansion after buying out solar developer — RenewEconomy
Founder of Australian solar and storage developer could walk away with another $60 million after sale of business to Swedish renewables giant. The post Swedish renewables giant plans rapid Australia expansion after buying out solar developer appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Swedish renewables giant plans rapid Australia expansion after buying out solar developer — RenewEconomy
Why western Victoria needs – and wants – new transmission lines — RenewEconomy
We need to upgrade our electricity transmission grid so more price crushing, zero emissions renewable energy projects can be built and connected. The post Why western Victoria needs – and wants – new transmission lines appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Why western Victoria needs – and wants – new transmission lines — RenewEconomy
Coal pit to wind farm: Energy giant to fast-track energy makeover for old mine sites — RenewEconomy
Researchers in Germany are investigating the possibility of building wind farms on closed open cast coal mines much sooner than was previously possible. The post Coal pit to wind farm: Energy giant to fast-track energy makeover for old mine sites appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Coal pit to wind farm: Energy giant to fast-track energy makeover for old mine sites — RenewEconomy
Australian prime minister feigns concern for Assange but defends “national security” secrecy
Oscar Grenfell@Oscar_Grenfell 5 May 2023 https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/05/06/ixnm-m06.html?pk_campaign=assange-newsletter&pk_kwd=wsws
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) this week, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave his most extensive comments on the plight of Julian Assange since coming to office in May 2022. Albanese feigned concern for the WikiLeaks publisher, but defended the entire anti-democratic framework of “national security” secrecy under which he is being persecuted.
Albanese is in London for the coronation of King Charles. He is also holding discussions with the British government, centring on AUKUS, the aggressive militarist pact between the two countries and the US, aimed at preparing for war against China.
In the same city, Assange has been incarcerated in the maximum-security Belmarsh Prison for more than four years, most of that time on remand. The sole purpose of his detention is to facilitate a US extradition request. The American government is seeking to imprison Assange for up to 175 years for exposing its war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and its global diplomatic conspiracies.
Albanese’s comments have been presented widely as his “strongest” in defence of Assange. Throughout his prime ministership, Albanese has sought to avoid even mentioning the WikiLeaks publisher, even though Assange is an Australian citizen and the world’s most significant political prisoner.
Albanese’s long silence, which included his tenure as opposition leader, was clearly a product of political hostility to Assange and WikiLeaks. But as demands for the Labor government to defend Assange grew, Albanese and his colleagues changed tack. They could not speak openly about Assange, supposedly because that would compromise unspecified “quiet diplomacy” they were conducting on his behalf.
Documents obtained via freedom of information requests by lawyer Kellie Tranter have not turned up a single trace of this “quiet diplomacy.” That includes correspondence between the relevant Australian government bodies and its counterparts in the US and Britain.
In the ABC interview, Albanese repeated his refrain that “enough is enough” in relation to the Assange case and “this matter needs to be brought to a close.” These formulations are deliberately ambiguous. They do not even indicate how the case should be “brought to a close,” much less demand that the Biden administration drop the prosecution.
Albanese added: “It needs to be worked through, we’re working through diplomatic channels, we’re making very clear what our position is on Mr Assange’s case.” But again, it is not at all “clear” what the Labor government’s position actually is. Moreover, almost a year of purported “quiet diplomacy” has not altered the course of Assange’s persecution by one iota.
Asked about this, Albanese replied: “I know it’s frustrating. I share the frustration. I can’t do more than make very clear what my position is.” He claimed that the US government was “clear” on Labor’s position, but would not even commit to raising Assange when Biden visits Australia later this month.
Albanese expressed “concern” for Assange’s health, but did not indicate he would do anything about it. It is over three years since hundreds of doctors first warned that the deterioration of Assange’s medical condition could result in his death behind bars, and demanded he be released from Belmarsh Prison.
In the comments that some Assange supporters have presented as most hopeful, Albanese stated: “I think that when Australians look at the circumstances, look at the fact that the person who released the information [Chelsea Manning] is walking freely now, having served some time in incarceration but is now released for a long period of time, then they’ll see that there is a disconnect there.”
Again, this is miles away from a demand that the Biden administration end its prosecution, or a defence of a persecuted Australian journalist. It is more in the manner of, “it is unfortunate that this is occurring, but what can one do?”
That was, in fact, the entire thrust of Albanese’s remarks. Labor had raised the issue, he claimed, made its “position clear” and Assange’s fate was in the hands of Britain and the US. That is diametrically opposed to the repeated aggressive diplomatic and legal interventions Australian governments have previously mounted to free citizens imprisoned abroad.
The fraudulent character of Albanese’s purported defence of Assange was underscored by the fact that his comments were immediately endorsed by opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton. Dutton, a former policeman, is an extreme right-wing figure, who speaks most openly for the repressive state forces that are seeking Assange’s destruction.
Above all, Albanese’s remarks were aimed at placating the growing public support for the WikiLeaks founder and subordinating it to a “quiet diplomacy” that could not be any quieter. Among some prominent Assange supporters, Albanese’s remarks have had their desired effect. They have proclaimed that the Labor government has now demonstrated its commitment to Assange’s freedom, presenting this as a fact to be celebrated.
Such positions, it must be stated, are a self-deluding fantasy that obstructs a genuine fight for Assange’s freedom, lets those involved in his persecution off the hook and creates favourable conditions for a US extradition. Unfortunately, it is not hard to envisage such individuals proclaiming one “victory” after another, right up until Assange is dispatched to his US persecutors.
Several questions must be posed: If Albanese were waging a determined struggle for Assange’s freedom, would he be fawning over King Charles and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the figures who hold the key to Assange’s cell? Would he be preparing to roll out the red carpet for Biden when the US president visits Australia in several weeks? Would he not make demands of the British and US governments, as Australian administrations have when defending other persecuted citizens?
Those who promote the illusion that Assange’s freedom will be granted by one or another benevolent faction of the establishment, without any genuine political struggle, invariably detach the attempted US extradition from its broader political context.
As the WSWS has explained, the US is pursuing Assange, not only as an act of retribution. It is seeking to establish a precedent for the suppression of social and political opposition, especially opposition to war. This forms part of a broader turn to authoritarianism by governments around the world, amid the deepest crisis of the capitalist system since the 1930s.
The imperialist powers are preparing for another catastrophic world war. That is the significance of the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, along with Washington’s confrontation with China, which is viewed as the chief threat to American imperialist hegemony.
Australia, under Albanese, is on the frontlines of these war preparations. Last month, Labor endorsed a Defence Strategic Review, calling for Australia’s largest military build-up since World War II. The review is explicit that this is in preparation for a US-led war against China.
As in the last century, war is incompatible with democratic rights. It requires the suppression of anti-war opposition, because governments are aware that workers and young people are hostile to militarism, and that the program of war will intensify a resurgence of the class struggle that is already well underway.
This basic point was essentially made by Albanese himself.
Continue readingAustralian Radioactive Waste Agency a “zombie measure”- no funding left by Morrison government
Why a staggering $5BILLION will need to be found to keep the vital MyGov app running, store Australia’s radioactive waste and even monitor high-risk terrorists: ‘Australians were tricked’
By BRITTANY CHAIN, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA, 8 May 2023
…………….. According to Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, these funding shortfalls or ‘booby traps’ were left by ex-PM Scott Morrison in the hope they would blow up on the incoming Albanese Government……….
‘For example, there was no money in the budget for the agency responsible for safely storing and disposing of Australia’s radioactive waste,………………………..
Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
The agency is one of the ‘zombie measures’ in which funding was not taken into account beyond this year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
Senator Gallagher said there was actually no money at all in the budget for the agency, despite its responsibility to safely store and dispose of Australia’s radioactive waste……………………………. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12032345/Budget-2023-Underfunding-MyGov-app-public-dental-mental-health-revealed-Federal-Budget.html?fbclid=IwAR2I1-FswPxwSyqGUbBetcBPCOtUHyuAqAv_TNk-oBlhGy7b0KW0z7vdZv8
Queensland sets new wind output record as it plays catch up to rest of country —
Queensland sets a new wind output record as the state plays catch up with the rest of the country. The post Queensland sets new wind output record as it plays catch up to rest of country appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Queensland sets new wind output record as it plays catch up to rest of country — RenewEconomy
Big batteries charge on to centre stage with new tricks for the grid — RenewEconomy
As Australia’s big battery fleet continues to grow, developers and owners are starting to unlock more of the big stack of services they can bring to the grid. The post Big batteries charge on to centre stage with new tricks for the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Big batteries charge on to centre stage with new tricks for the grid — RenewEconomy
Wind, solar and storage: Three ideas to accelerate Australia’s green energy transition — RenewEconomy
The rollout of wind, solar and storage is too slow. We need more transmission, and more action from state governments, and NSW in particular. The post Wind, solar and storage: Three ideas to accelerate Australia’s green energy transition appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Wind, solar and storage: Three ideas to accelerate Australia’s green energy transition — RenewEconomy
Grid forming inverters find their place on big grids: Can they do what they say? — RenewEconomy
Grid-forming inverters were once limited to micro and isolated grids, but are now rolling out in mega scale applications where their role is not well understood. The post Grid forming inverters find their place on big grids: Can they do what they say? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Grid forming inverters find their place on big grids: Can they do what they say? — RenewEconomy
Bluefloat checks pulse on community support for 1.7GW offshore wind plans — RenewEconomy
BlueFloat Energy calls for community feedback on Eastern Rise offshore wind farm, as it prepares to seek environmental approvals for the NSW project. The post Bluefloat checks pulse on community support for 1.7GW offshore wind plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Bluefloat checks pulse on community support for 1.7GW offshore wind plans — RenewEconomy
Fukushima. Only 1% of people return home despite lifting of evacuation order.
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN, May 2, 2023
Despite a massive outlay in decontamination and infrastructure funds, only 1 percent of residents have returned to special reconstruction zones in Fukushima Prefecture.
Evacuation orders for those special zones were gradually lifted from last year and the Nagadoro district of Iitate became the final area where the order was lifted on May 1.
A total of about 320 billion yen ($2.3 billion) was spent on decontamination and social infrastructure in the special zones.
However, so far only 158 residents of those special zones in six municipalities have returned to their communities, or 1.2 percent of the total number of registered residents in those areas.
Those zones were designated in areas of municipalities that until then were classified as difficult-to-return zones because of the high levels of radiation that lingered after the 2011 triple meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Government officials initially thought that residents in those difficult-to-return zones would likely never be able to return to their homes.
But as the years passed, radiation levels were found to be dropping so from around 2017 and 2018, the government designated certain sections of the six municipalities that had difficult-to-return zones as special zones for reconstruction and revitalization.
The government undertook decontamination of radiation in those special zones as well as constructed social infrastructure.
The special reconstruction zones were chosen because they covered communities where a large number of people once lived.
Although the special reconstruction zones only made up about 8 percent of the total area designated as difficult-to-return zones, the registered residents in those zones made up about 60 percent of the total population of the difficult-to-return zones.
Many residents in those areas were uncertain for many years about whether they could ever return to their homes. In the interim, close to 4,000 homes in the difficult-to-return zones were demolished.
But some residents who have evacuated to other parts of Fukushima Prefecture have continued to commute to their homes on weekends to prevent them from being overrun by weeds and vegetation…………………………………………………………….
, 92 percent of the difficult-to-return zones lie outside the special reconstruction zones, meaning no one will be allowed to enter those areas, which total about 31,000 hectares, or about half the size of Tokyo’s 23 wards.
But the government is considering a new designation that would allow for the lifting of evacuation orders in specific residential lots for households that indicated a willingness to return to their former homes.
Decontamination work would be concentrated on those lots and neighboring areas.
(This article was written by Noriyoshi Ohtsuki, a senior staff writer, Tetsuya Kasai and Susumu Imaizumi.) https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14899178
Russia orders evacuation of civilians around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant amid warnings of ‘severe nuclear accident’
Anxiety about the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is growing after the Moscow-installed governor of the Ukrainian region where it is located ordered civilian evacuations.
Key points:
- Russian forces are ordering civilians to leave towns around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
- The evacuation zone includes Enerhodar, which is home to most of the plant’s staff
- IAEA head Rafael Mariano Grossi says the situation is “increasingly unpredictable”
Russian soldiers are evacuating people from Zaporizhzhia and 18 nearby towns, ahead of an anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi has called on both Russia and Ukraine to ensure that there will be no fighting near the Zaporizhzhia plant to prevent what he calls “the threat of a severe nuclear accident and its associated consequences”.
The towns and villages being evacuated include Enerhodar, which is home to most of the plant’s staff.
The Russia-backed governor of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia province, Yevgeny Balitsky, said more than 1,600 people, including more than 600 children had been evacuated as of Sunday.
The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the evacuation of Enerhodar was underway.
…………………………… Although none of the plant’s six reactors are operating because of the war, the station needs a reliable power supply for essential cooling systems. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-08/russia-orders-evacuations-around-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/102316184
This week in nuclear news – Australia and more
Some bits of good news. I’ve been ignoring energy sources other than nuclear. But that’s hard to do this week. I’ve come to at least 3 very positive stories: Germany produces 40GW of solar, and much of it exported to other countries. Great Lakes wind power could give Ontario to 100% renewable energy. Bristol solar farm connects directly to the grid
Christina Notes. Time for a laugh – in this sorry world.
Nuclear. Sorry – it’s no different from last week – war-mongering rhetoric. But James W. Pfister offers a timely reminder of President John F. Kennedy and Chairman Nikita Khrushchev’s joint “withdrawal from the brink” in 1962. “Both sides settled for less than a win.”
AUSTRALIA. Australian prime minister feigns concern for Assange but defends “national security” secrecy.
Labor’s serial betrayal of Australia. JOHN PILGER: Danger of war exists if we don’t speak up now. Location for nuclear submarine’s base ‘close to a decade’ away. Port Kembla May Day march rejects AUKUS nuclear submarine base plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgL307PMWMY Unions, communities tell Labor: ‘Port Kembla is no place for a nuclear base’. Unions to march against nuclear subs, citing health risks over jobs. Port Kembla rally to demand NSW site be ruled out as Aukus nuclear submarine base. AUKUS high-level nuclear waste dump must be subject to Indigenous veto.
CLIMATE. Former Nuclear Leaders: Say ‘No’ to New Reactors,
CIVIL LIBERTIES. Julian Assange makes ‘Kingly Proposal’ to Charles III.
ECONOMICS. Newbuild: How Much of Vogtle Nuclear Plant’s Capital Costs Can Southern Recover? Canada and Ontario are turning to nuclear energy as a green solution –Here’s the problem with that.
Marketing. Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, Canada, heads to Europe to promote non-existent small nuclear reactors. The Philippines to be the South East Asian guinea pig for NuScam’s small nuclear reactors? US Sells Taiwan 400 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles – Profits and Provocations, Not Protection
HEALTH. DEPLETED URANIUM: COURTS ACCEPT CANCER RISK DENIED BY ARMY. Radiation. Ukrainian soldiers train to deal with radiation as worries over nuclear plant grow.
MEDIA. Multiple US Officials Confronted About US Assange Hypocrisy On World Press Freedom Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8osNmcVkoY Hypocritical Commemorations: World Press Freedom Day. The Antidote to Oliver Stone is Philippe Carillo’s Film “Fukushima Disaster: The Hidden Side of the Story” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBqk0OtlE8k . A nuclear Bacchanalia .
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. The danger of artificial intelligence controlling nuclear codes. A mess of different Small Nuclear Reactor Designs in UK.
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR. Abolish Nukes, Kishida, G7!
PERSONAL STORIES. A life uprooted and stolen — Japanese victims speak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzaE_9l5mSw&t=83s. A Tribute to Daniel Ellsberg .
POLITICS.
Fukushima: Only 1% of people return home despite lifting of evacuation order
UK.
- Opposition to Sizewell C nuclear was a factor in Green Party success in East Suffolk. What’s happening with Great British Nuclear? Not Much. Now the UK government is saying they need costly large nuclear reactors as well as small ones. UK government to take 50% stake in Sizewell C nuclear project, amid legal challenge, soaring costs, and pension funds pulling out.
- UK government’s proposals on radioactive substances : -all of its 7 “consultation questions” should be vigourously opposed . Reply to UK government’s nuclear dump consultation – STOP Undersea Nuclear Dump NOW!
- MPs, Scientists Raise Alarm Over Climate Hype for Small Modular Reactor
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. James W. Pfister: Cumulative risk and nuclear war. Biden’s leadership on nuclear disarmament to be tested in Hiroshima,
PROTESTS. Protest against investment in Sizewell C nuclear power station.
SAFETY.
More Than 1,600 Evacuated From Areas Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. IAEA head calls situation near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant ‘unpredictable and potentially dangerous‘. Record high water levels threaten dam near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Evacuations spur UN watchdog concern over Ukraine nuclear plant. Disaster Fears After Explosives Found Inside Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant.
France’s government postpones its nuclear safety reform indefinitely. Backup generator at Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant fails, triggering special federal review. ‘Lessons not being learned’ as nuclear safety lapses rocket by a third in a year. West Hartford Preps For Hypothetical Nuclear Nightmare.
SECRETS and LIES. Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and the ‘made men’ of the Biden administration. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embroiled in alleged attempt to influence US officials on allegedly corrupt company Burisma.
Former CIA Officer Says Decision to Drone Attack Kremlin Was Made by the United States. Meet the Ukrainian children killed by US/NATO funding and weapons.
WASTES. What happens to the UK’s nuclear waste? Germany’s Asse nuclear waste interim storage facility continues to cause controversy.
WAR and CONFLICT. Russia ‘very unlikely’ to use nuclear weapons, US intel chief. WWIII on the Instalment Plan. The dangers of nuclear escalation have not receded. US ‘Dangerously Close’ To Another Nuclear Missile Crisis; After Russia, China Could Respond To Deployment Of Nuke Subs To S.Korea. As US-China Tensions Mount, We Must Resist the Push Toward Interimperialist War.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. The Twenty-First Century of (Profitable) War– Not Your Grandfather’s Military-Industrial Complex. Nuclear weapons may not be in Seoul’s best interest. Impending NATO inductee Finland welcomes “significant military infrastructure” from Pentagon .
The nuclear lobby to get what it really wants?- a high level nuclear waste dump in Australia
07/05/2023 by Brian Hartiganhttps://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2023/05/07/new-agency-and-new-regulator-to-deliver-nuclear-submarine-program/
In leading the delivery of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, the ASA will be responsible for cradle-to-grave management, including:
Disposal
New agency and new regulator to deliver nuclear submarine program
The government will establish a new agency and a new regulator as part of its commitment to delivering Australia’s conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) will be established by Executive Order and be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
Work to deliver the pathway is already underway and remains a key priority for the government, in line with the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review.
In leading the delivery of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, the ASA will be responsible for cradle-to-grave management, including:
- acquisition
- delivery
- construction
- technical governance
- sustainment, and
- disposal
ASA will also enable the necessary policy, legal, non-proliferation, workforce, security and safety arrangements.
Royal Australian Navy, led by the Chief of Navy, will continue to be responsible for training submariners and operating Australia’s submarines.
The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, which currently operates as part of Defence, will transition to the ASA on 1 July 2023.
t will be headed by a Director General, the appointment of whom will be announced by the government at the appropriate time.
The government will also establish a new independent statutory regulator, the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator.
The new regulator will have the functions and powers necessary to regulate the unique circumstances associated with nuclear safety and radiological protection across the lifecycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.
This includes associated infrastructure and facilities.
The regulator will be independent of the Australian Defence Force’s chain of command and directions from the Department of Defence.
This will be a fundamental part of a system of regulation, which will work with existing Australian regulators to support the safety of our submariners, Australian and international communities, and the environment.
Both the ASA and the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator will be non-corporate Commonwealth entities within the Defence portfolio and report directly to the Minister for Defence.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the government was delivering on its commitment to the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, which is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history.
“The establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator are critical elements of delivering this game-changing capability and will ensure the safe and successful implementation of the pathway for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines,” Mr Marles said.
“The ASA will be responsible and accountable for delivering the ambitious program to acquire Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.
“A specialised and dedicated regulator – which will be independent of Defence and the Australian Defence Force – will ensure we have the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection across the lifecycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.”
1 This month.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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