Review: AREVA, Climate Policy, Iran’s uranium enrichment
Au
stralia. Areva takes over Australian solar company. Continuing chaos on Australia’s Climate Change policy, as Rudd dithers over the Greens’ modest carbon tax plan, and Abbott is encouraged, as media publicises cranky extremist views of Lord Monckton. Sustainable Northern Australia report raises debate. W.A. govt refuses to hold public inquiry into uranium industry’s impact.
International: Obama appoints nuclear lobbyist as nuclear safety regulator. France’s AREVA joins powerful Korean nuclear industry competitor, while acquiring several solar companies. Iran ramps up uranium enrichment, while U.S and Israeli hawks preach war. Continuing anxieties over overuse of medical radiation – the week that has been
Can nuclear giant AREVA be trusted with solar energy industry?
There are two ways of looking at the French nuclear company AREVA taking over an Australian solar company.
1. Areva’s resources, financial and expert, can bring the necessary push to really make this solar industry happen. And, with the financial mess that is developing in AREVA’s nuclear industry, this solar move could herald a very positive transition away from nuclear, and to renewables.
2. In Australia, we have a sad history of fossil fuel interests buying up solar industry initiatives precisely for the purpose of killing them off. AREVA has just joined forces with its powerful Korean nuclear competitor, KEPCO. Can corporations like Areva be trusted to really develop renewable technologies – or are they out to suppress them so as to promote their nuclear power empire?
I would like to think that Areva is truly diversifying, and promoting renewable energy technologies. I bear in mind the work of people like Ralph Nader, who has always been willing to talk with polluting corporations, and work for improvements.
Nevertheless, the fear remains.
Australian solar companies taken over by multinationals
Local solar power leaders taken over by Areva and Silex THE AUSTRALIAN, Giles Parkinson February 10, 2010 TWO of Australia’s most promising solar energy technologies changed hands yesterday, with the world’s largest nuclear energy group Areva buying Ausra and Silex Systems acquiring the assets of the collapsed Solar Systems. Continue reading
Areva ‘hedging’ its bets, with renewable energy push
this acquisition of Ausra is a good sign of where the market is heading. Given that the nuclear renaissance simply isn’t materializing as expected, it’s wise for Areva and other big energy conglomerates to hedge their bets.
Areva gets deeper into renewables with Ausra purchase the energy collective, by Tyler Hamilton, 02/08/2010 France’s Areva SA is known mostly as a designer of light-water nuclear reactors, builder of transmission and distribution systems, and a miner of uranium, Continue reading
Growing problem of unnecessary medical ionising radiation
(USA) Glance: High-grade medical scans are key contributor to rising radiation exposure Health News February 9th, 2010 The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it will work with doctors and manufacturers to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from medical scans, a problem that has been growing for decades. Continue reading
Pressure on U.S. Congress to set renewable energy standard
President Barack Obama has urged Congress to set a national
standard that would require 25 percent renewable power by 2025. But lawmakers have yet to act.
Wind, solar groups push US renewable energy standard Feb 10, 2010 – Stimulus funds powered most renewables to expand in 2009* – Energy groups stress domestic job creation* – Call for federal energy standard, extended tax credits By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment CorrespondentWASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – U.S. industry executives from the wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass sectors pushed on Tuesday for a federal renewable energy standard, which they said would foster economic growth and create jobs. Continue reading
Obama appoints pro-nuker to Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Mr. Magwood’s dozens of years promoting nuclear power make him unqualified to be a regulator of the industry.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission RC Needs Nuclear Power Regulators, Not Promoters – The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Ingrid Drake and Peter Stockton Feb 08, 2010 It’s not often that POGO lobbies to defeat a presidential nominee. However, we have felt called to speak out as loud as we can in opposition to President Obama’s nomination of William Magwood for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on the grounds that he does not have the independence from the nuclear power industry to regulate it, nor the security oversight background. Continue reading
Uranium prices to go down further
Investors take a stick to disappointing resources companies, Robin Bromby,The Australian, February 08,
“……….Uranium in surplusDEUTSCHE Bank has put a “sell” recommendation on Paladin Energy (PDN) with a target price of $3.30, against Friday’s close at $3.52. The bank’s analysts are predicting a uranium market surplus of 4500 tonnes by 2011.
……….. Deutsche believes uranium prices will be hit this year due to production growth in Kazakhstan, increasing US Department of Energy spot sales, and permit delays to nuclear reactor plans in the West.
Wind farm financed by community group
the Jura wind park is the first in the country to be financed by a broad citizen base: some 600 private investors…
Wind power gains ground in Switzerland GenevaLunch Jessica Evans, 5 February 2010 New wind turbines at Saint-Brais, canton Jura, will raise Switzerland’s total annual renewable energy power production to 17.5 MW, according to Suisse Eole, the Swiss wind energy promotion association. Continue reading
Nuclear reactor leaking radiation into groundwater
Today’s groundwater is tomorrow’s drinking water. “Tritiated water” is chemically identical to water. Only now, it is radioactive water with a half-life of 12.3 years. That means that it can pose a biological hazard for 120 years.
(USA) Uncontrolled radiation releases still getting out of Vermont Yankee, Beyond Nuclear 6 Feb 2010, New test wells sunk around the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station have revealed rising radiation levels in groundwater on the banks of the Connecticut River near the town of Vernon, Vermont. Continue reading
Obama’s pro-nuclear push could founder in money problems
experts are predicting a repeat of the experience of the 1980’s,
in which the costs of many projects soared in price until they became prohibitive and the plants were abandoned before completion.
Nuclear Power Gets Strong Push From White House
The New York Times By MATTHEW L. WALDJanuary 29, 2010The Obama administration moved vigorously on two fronts Friday to promote nuclear power, proposing to triple federal loan guarantees for new projects and appointing a high-level panel to study what to do with nuclear waste. Continue reading
NASA continues cruel and unnecessary radiation tests on monkeys
(USA) More Radiation for Space Monkeys ANIMAL WELFARE Stephanie Feldstein 29 Jan 2010 It’s not the first time monkeys have been exposed to radiation. So many studies have documented the painful and disturbing effects of exposure, that there’s no reason for further animal research. But NASA doesn’t see it that way. Continue reading
Obama parrots pro-nuke policy, but he knows better
Indeed, Obama knows better. Candidate Obama understood that nuclear power is neither safe nor clean. Watch this video taken early in his presidential campaign,
Nuclear Information and Resource Service Michael Mariotte 28 Jan 2010 If you were watching last night’s State of the Union address, I’m sure you were as appalled as I was when President Obama suddenly spoke in support of “safe, clean nuclear power” (not to mention support for offshore oil drilling and “clean” coal). Continue reading
Uranium price continues its downward slide
The term uranium market was even quieter, with no new demand…
Uranium Continues Its Retreat ninemsn Money 27/01/2010 By Andrew Nelson With only a handful of deals reported last week, the uranium spot price continued its new year retreat. Industry consultant TradeTech’s U3O8 Spot Price Indicator showed a decline of US$1.25/lb to US$42.50/lb over the course of last week……………. Continue reading
Review- the nuclear week that has been
Australia: Climate denialists Monckton and Plimer touring Australia (wonder who’s paying for this tour?). Maralinga nuclear veterans must take their case to England. Tony Abbott calls for uranium sales to India, as India builds its nuke weapons arsenal. Australian Super decides that uranium is ethical enough. Point Lowly Action group trying to save iconic Great Australian Cuttlefish. ERA uranium shares and production fall. Govt considers airport scanning amid public ignorance on the issue.
International: Huge global renewable energy summit. France’s nuke industry embroiled in strife. Critical talks about Iran’s nukes. Germany in dilemma over mounting nuclear waste. Future very complicated for USA’s nuke industry. Colorado anti-uranium legal bid moves along. Revelations of Israel’s uranium tests on workers. Doomsday clock – slight improvement. USA – anti-uranium protest. Court action over depleted uranium in Hawaii. Protest against NASA’s radiation testing on squirrel monkeys.
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 