Abbott now coy about nuclear power
Abbott not backing nuclear energy yet
ABC News 4 Dec 09 Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he is not pushing for Australia to have nuclear power because it is not yet economically viable.
There is a push within the Federal Opposition to include nuclear power in its energy strategy after Mr Abbott declared an emissions trading scheme would not be part of Coalition policy at the next election. Mr Abbott says the idea of nuclear power should be discussed, but he has told Macquarie radio that it is still not economically viable for Australia to use it instead of fossil fuels like coal.
Abbott not backing nuclear energy yet – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Solar energy developments in WA and ACT
Solar Farm For Western Australia Announced Renewable Energy News 4 Dec 09 Expressions of interest are being requested for the construction of a solar farm in Western Australia. Energy retailer Synergy is looking to a solar farm 50MW – 150MW being constructed in the state by 2016. According to Western Australia’s Energy Minister Peter Collier, the solar farm could be based on solar panels or solar thermal technology. Synergy’s role would be a commercial agreement for the capacity, electricity and renewable energy certificates from the solar farm that would feed into the South West Interconnected System.
he Minister said the Liberal-National Government recognised that Western Australia has an abundance of sunlight and stated “we should look to every opportunity to garner this renewable energy source to meet our growing energy demands.”
Even given the Minister’s apparent enthusiasm for solar power, Western Australia will be one of the last states to have a solar feed in tariff in place; whereby owners of solar power systems large and small are paid a premium rate for feeding electricity into the mains grid.
As feed in tariffs, implemented correctly, have continually demonstrated to be one of the best ways to spur on the uptake of solar power, investment in other solar farms in the state will likely remain in limbo until the details of its program are hashed out.
Solar Farm For Western Australia Announced : Renewable Energy News
Woolworths first to launch solar energy program: FOOD WEEK 4 December 2009 Supermarket giant, Woolworths, has chosen Canberra as the launchpad for its new renewable energy generation technology program in service stations.The ACT Government has thrown its support behind the program which will launch at petrol stations in Belconnen and Hume. The retailer said it was the first major retail company in Australia to generate on-site renewable energy………… Woolworths’ director of corporate and public affairs, Andrew Hall said the ACT Government was to be congratulated for being the only Australian state or territory to put in place gross feed-in tariffs with business incentives, a payments structure for renewable electricity generators which made the installation of the solar panels commercially viable…………………
“If all States followed the ACT’s lead and introduced gross feed-in tariffs that benefited businesses Woolworths would certainly look at rolling out this exciting new technology to locations nationwide, potentially pumping significant amounts of clean electricity back into the grid,” he said.“Retailers often have expansive roof spaces that should be perfect for capturing the sun’s rays, a clean resource Australia has in abundance.”
Woolworths first to launch solar energy program: AUS > FOODweek Online > Main Features Page
Solar energy park opened in Victoria
Ballarat Solar Park officially opened The Courier , CATHY MORRIS, 29 Nov, 2009
The park, located near Ballarat airport, which will provide enough energy for 150 houses into the national grid, was officially opened Saturday. Continue reading
Shareholders protesting BHP’s uranium mining
BHP chief takes on shareholder activists ABC Radio PM Annie Guest reported this story on November 26, 2009
The protestors outside and shareholder activists inside raised concerns about uranium mining and storage……..PROTESTOR: Mr Argus… that would be millions of tonnes of radioactive waste… Continue reading
BHP shareholders challenged on ethics
Activists attack BHP’s ‘ugly side’ news.com.au 25 Nov 09
THE displacement of villages in Colombia, the destruction of sacred Aboriginal sites, human rights abuses and health concerns are the ugly side of BHP Billiton, environmental and human rights activists say. Continue reading
Four Mile uranium mine stalled by quarrels
Four Mile partners still squabbling
QUASAR Resources is asking shareholders of joint venture partner Alliance to urge the company’s board to move ahead on the Four Mile uranium mine soon. Continue reading
Medical protest against uranium mine
Doctors threaten to leave over uranium mine – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) By Eric Tlozek Nov 20, 2009 group of Alice Springs doctors say they will leave the town if a uranium mine goes ahead in the area. Continue reading
Solar energy shining in Queensland and Victoria
Solar farm thrives in heat ABC News By Chrissy Arthur Nov 20, 2009 The extreme heat in outback Queensland is proving ideal for the state’s first solar power station. Continue reading
Nuclear power uneconomic for Australia
Peak Energy: Crikey’s Bernard Keane has the next installment of his series on why nuclear power is unlikely to be seen in Australia – 20 Nov 09
To those who say “beaudy nuke”: why should taxpayers suffer? What would it cost Australia to go nuclear? Good question. Excellent question, in fact, because no one really knows. Continue reading
Amnesty calls for re-instating Racial Discrimination Act
Australia: government must overturn law which discriminates against aboriginal people Amnesty International 18 November 2009
Slamming decades of failure by Australian governments to address the dire living conditions and discrimination faced by many of the country’s Indigenous peoples, Continue reading
Climate sceptic rails against “irrational” anti-nuclear movement
Climate change plan coul d”ruin Australia” news.com au AAP November 19, 2009 AUSTRALIA will go broke and become the laughing stock of the world if politicians ignore basic science on climate change, a leading global warming sceptic…..Adelaide University professor of mining geology, Ian Plimer, saidProf Plimer’s comments came as he delivered the annual Essington Lewis Memporial Lecture honour of a former chief executive and chairman of BHP. He is one of Australia’s most outspoken climate change sceptics and rejects the suggestion that increased levels of carbon dioxide are responsible for global warming. Continue reading
“Clean” nuclear power now a bribe for weapons non proliferation?
Could it be that the nuclear powers are in so deep that they just don’t know how to get out? Despite the cost, despite the mounting unsolved waste problem, despite the countries seeking nuclear weapons, the Big Powers forge on with the myths of “clean” “cheap”, “climate friendly” nuclear power. From the statement of Gordon Brown, and the US China joint statement (both quoted below) it looks as if the myths will continue to be perpetrated, and that even the failed idea of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership might get a re-run.
‘We can lead construction of a new global order’ Public service.co.uk November 17, 2009 The UK can shape the world of the future by leading in global co-operation, the Prime Minister said in his annual speech on foreign policy at the Lord Mayor’s banquet. Gordon Brown – “………..Britain must continue to lead the renewal of a grand global bargain between nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states. A fair and balanced deal in which non nuclear weapons states must accept clear responsibilities to end proliferation by renouncing nuclear weapons in return for the right to access civil nuclear power;…..
‘We can lead construction of a new global order’ – Public Service
U.S.-China Joint Statement CBS News Political Hotsheet by Brian Montopoli November 17, 2009 Following President Obama’s meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the White House released a joint statement on the relationship between the two countries,
………The two sides welcomed the establishment of The U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP), a partnership between government and industry to enhance energy security and combat climate change. The ECP will leverage private sector resources and expertise to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology.
The two sides agreed to work together to advance global efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They welcomed the recently-concluded Third Executive Committee Meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, and the commitment of the partnership to explore ways to enhance the international framework for civil nuclear energy cooperation. They agreed to consult with one another in order to explore such approaches — including assurance of fuel supply and cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management so that countries can access peaceful nuclear power while minimizing the risks of proliferation.
In Full: U.S.-China Joint Statement – Political Hotsheet – CBS News
Low uranium prices stopping new projects
Uranium too low to incentivise new mines Mining Weekly By: Liezel Hill17th November 2009 TORONTO– Uranium prices still will need to firm significantly to justify the development of many of the mining projects being considered around the world, Jean Nortier, the CEO of Vancouver-based Uranium One, reiterated on Monday……… Continue reading
Sea level rise threatens Australia’s ports, power stations
Threats looming fast for vital facilities Sydney Morning Herald MARIAN WILKINSON ENVIRONMENT EDITOR November 14, 2009 Continue reading
How Australia’s media DOESN’T cover uranium issues
I mean – the main thing for the Australian media is to talk about personalities and actors. Continue reading
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