Tasmania’s anti renewable energy Senator Lambie snubs Granville Harbour Wind Farm project
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie snubs Granville Harbour Wind Farm project meeting, The Advocate By SEAN FORD Dec. 2, 2014,
RENEWABLE energy target critic Senator Jacqui Lambie has been accused of refusing to meet proponents of a West Coast wind farm, with 200 construction jobs hanging in the balance.
Investors were “lined up” for the $150 million project, director Alex Simpson said yesterday.
However, they needed bipartisan certainty at federal level……..
PUP-turned-independent Senator Lambie has been scathing about the RET, describing it as the “mainland RET” and saying it pushes up Tasmanian power prices and threatens jobs despite Tasmanian energy generation being renewable.
Mr Simpson said Westcoast Wind had been seeking a meeting with Senator Lambie since August, but had been told she was “too busy”.
He questioned whether there would be a bigger project she could influence.
The project has the necessary federal, state and council approvals.
Mr Simpson said it could proceed if the target was left alone, but a decision was needed.
“The federal government needs to say ‘This is what we’re going to do,’ then Labor goes tick so there’s bipartisan support.”
Some in the Coalition argue the RET should be scaled back, due to declining power use.
Mr Simpson said an excess of generation would be a good thing, as it would tend to put downward pressure on prices.
He also argued the economic case for wind, saying: “Any power station that has no fuel cost has to be cheaper in the long run.” If a lower RET was introduced, he said, the Granville project would be “very challenging for the industry”.
Comment was being sought from Senator Lambie. http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2735194/lambie-snubs-project-meeting/
Faith in nuclear power – a religious belief for corporate-backed Abbott government
Nuclear power keeps the corporates in charge. No wonder it’s conservatives’ preferred solution to climate change, Guardian Tim Hollo, 2 Dec 14
Tony Abbott says he has ‘no theological objection’ to nuclear power. That’s fair – only blind faith could justify his belief in a power source that’s so costly and risky “I have no theological objection” to nuclear power, Tony Abbott said on 1 December, responding to Julie Bishop’s relaunch of the right’s preferred “solution” to global warming this week.
Abbott’s choice of words is fascinating. On the face of it he’s suggesting that opposing nuclear power is a faith-based, rather than rational, view. But it is the right’s consistent promotion of a technology that has been shown repeatedly to be too slow, too costly and too risky (see, for instance, here and here) that is underpinned by several right wing articles of faith. It’s worth unpacking this credo, because it reveals what’s really going on when nuclear power is raised………. Continue reading
Nuclear power doesn’t make sense if you look at the numbers
Nuclear: the power source for innumerates and socialists , Crikey by Bernard Keane. Monday, 1 December 2014 According to Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, “it’s an obvious conclusion that if you want to bring down your greenhouse gas emissions dramatically you have to embrace a form of low or zero-emissions energy, and that’s nuclear”.
Well, it’s an obvious conclusion if you can’t count, or you’re a raving […](registered readers only) http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/12/01/nuclear-the-power-source-for-innumerates-and-socialists/?wpmp_switcher=mobile
Former Australian Liberal Party leader John Hewson calls for keeping Renewable Energy Target unchanged
Federal Government should drop plans to wind back RET: Hewson, ABC News, By business reporter Emily Stewart 1 Dec 2014,
Former Liberal leader Dr John Hewson says the Federal Government should abandon its bid to scale back the renewable energy target, calling it a political barnacle that needs to be removed……..Dr Hewson, who is also an economist, said that the target needs to be maintained.
“If you’re talking about barnacles, get rid of this one,” he argued.
“He had a pre-election commitment to keep it … It costs him nothing to leave it there. It has no impact on the budget.”
Dr Hewson said the Abbott government is off the pace of worldwide climate change developments……..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-02/federal-government-should-drop-plans-to-wind-back-ret-hewson/5934756
Australia in a good position to develop European style community wind and solar
Australia well placed to replicate European community-owned wind, solar and hydro power projects http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-02/community-owned-renewable-energy-projects-possible/5933150 Mike Pritchard Regional Australia has the sunlight and the knowledge to replicate the successful move to renewable energy seen in Europe.
That was the message delivered to participants at a clean energy conference in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
Jarra Hicks, director and co-founder of the Community Power Agency, says Australia could learn a lot from Germany’s move to renewable energy.
“In Germany 46 per cent of all their renewable energy is owned by ordinary citizens, mum and dad investors, through cooperatives.
“Together they own wind turbines and solar panels and hydro power plants.”
She says a very stable policy environment has been an important factor.
“They have very clear rules that allow access to the grid network from communities.”
She said two community-owned wind farms already exist in Australia.
“They are owned by local people, they finance these projects and get returns on their investment, keeping money in the local economy.”
Ms Hicks said community owned renewable energy projects have the potential to contribute positive social, economic outcomes for regional Australia.
The Clean Energy Council slams Senator Leyonhjelm’s “economic vandalism” in attacking the Renewable Energy Target
The Clean Energy Council labels Senator Leyonhjelm’s proposal as “economic vandalism” and has called on all parties to return to negotiations in search of a sensible outcome for the RET.
Groundhog Day For Australian Renewable Energy http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/groundhog-day-renewables-em4568/ November 26, 2014 If insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results, then what is again being inflicted upon Australia’s renewable energy sector might fit that particular definition.
The Senate has given the green light to yet another review of renewable energy – the ninth in just three years. The Senate inquiry will focus on wind farms and include an examination of their economic impact and health effects.
“This is a farcical situation given that the industry is still awaiting the outcome of the government’s recent Warburton Review as well as another legislated review of the Renewable Energy Target by the Climate Change Authority,” said Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh.
“It is unclear how yet another review could draw any different conclusions given the many inquiries and reviews already undertaken in Australia. It is pretty obvious this inquiry is about politics rather than science, and it’s basically just Groundhog Day for this industry yet again.” Continue reading
Australia and Japan, both NPT and NSG members, have become complicit in India’s nuclear weapons program and partially responsible for increasing the risk of nuclear accident in India, and for potentially aggravating nuclear rivalry in Asia.
Nuclear Proliferation in the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Nuclear Nexus By Adam Broinowski Asia-Pacific Journal Global Research, November 24, 2014
“…….despite PM Abbott’s assurances that ‘suitable safeguards’ were in place to guarantee that Australian uranium would be used for ‘peaceful purposes’ and for ‘civilian use only’, as the former Director General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office John Carlson points out, the Agreement departs from two principles of Australia’s 1987 Safeguards Act (section 51):40 the acquirement of ‘consent to reprocessing’ from the Australian government prior to the separation of plutonium from spent fuel; and the ‘right of return’ of nuclear materials supplied in the event of a breach of the agreement.41 Instead, the Agreement defers to the US-India nuclear cooperation agreement in which India would reprocess in facilities built with the assistance of US companies, and leaves open the question of how separated plutonium would be used or how arbitration would apply to settle disputes.
Ten of India’s twenty nuclear facilities are beyond the regulatory authority of the IAEA and India only selectively recognises IAEA safeguards for specific foreign supplied reactors and facilities. India also refuses to submit to suppliers inventory reports and accounting processes for nuclear material flowing through the nuclear cycle. As the IAEA is not able to fully inspect India’s dual-purpose (civilian and military) indigenous reactors and facilities for reprocessing, enrichment, retransfers to third countries, research and development or the production of tritium (used as a trigger for weapons), India is not fully accountable to either the IAEA or the supplier nation with which it has a bilateral agreement with in-built IAEA norms. Continue reading
China palling up with Paladin
Hopu To Inject $52M In Australia’s Paladin Energy, China Money Network By Staff Writer | November 24, 2014 Western Australia-based uranium production company Paladin Energy Ltd. says it plans to raise a total of US$177 million in a private placement deal, including a capital injection of US$52 million from a unit of Chinese private equity firm Hopu Investment Management Co., according toa company announcement……..the number of shares Hopu is buying represents around 15% of Paladin’s current capital base, but Hopu has received approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to investment further and own up to 19.99% of Paladin.
Paladin says it will use the proceeds to repay the company’s medium-term debt that is coming due. Zhang Wendong, senior managing director at Hopu, will join Paladin’s board………http://www.chinamoneynetwork.com/2014/11/24/hopu-to-inject-52m-in-australias-paladin-energy
BHP not all that crash hot
BHP warns more cost cuts, management shake up before demerger Minng.com, Cecilia Jamasmie | November 24, 2014 Mining giant BHP Billiton (ASX, NYSE:BHP) (LON:BLT) warned Monday of further cuts to capital expenditure and a major shake-up of its senior management in the wake of its demerger plans, as the company moves to lower costs amid weak commodity prices.
In the much-anticipated markets briefing, the world’s largest miner by market value said it would trim spending by $1bn to $13bn in the 2016 financial year…………. Clarke Wilkins, director of metals and mining research at Citi in Sydney, said the market had shifted from debating when BHP starts its capex cuts to the “touchier question” of whether its progressive dividend can be maintained given the tumbling price of key commodities such as iron ore and oil…….Mackenzie also outlined a management reshuffle, as the mining group is next year poised to spin off non-core assets into a separate diversified mining company……http://www.mining.com/bhp-warns-more-cost-cuts-management-shake-up-before-demerger-88671/
Election coming up in Australia’s worst State for renewable energy policy – Victoria
Victorian election 2014: State ‘has worst renewable energy policy environment’, The Age, November 18, 2014 Richard Willingham State Political Correspondent for The Age Victoria has the worst policy environment for renewable energy in Australia, a study has found less than two weeks from the state election.
And in the wake of international plans to tackle emissions, Premier Denis Napthine said Victoria’s reliance on coal-fired power would continue for some time, while also saying alternative energy deserved more attention.
The Climate Council will release on Tuesday a comparison of each state’s renewable energy sector, which has found Victoria the worst performing state. The Brumby government set a 20 per cent emission reduction target by 2020, which was scrapped by the Baillieu government.
The Coalition also quietly abandoned a target of having 5 per cent of Victoria’s power coming from solar energy.
“Victoria now has the worst policy environment for renewables in the country,” the report says.
“Victoria’s new planning rules have cost the state an estimated $4 billion in lost investment and 3000 jobs.”
The Climate Council’s chief councillor, Professor Tim Flannery, said states had a critical role to play, especially in energy generation and some, such as Victoria and NSW, were not providing the right environment for renewable energy.
In Victoria, just one in 10 homes has solar panels, compared with South Australia where 25 per cent of homes have solar panels.
The report highlights that a coal mine can be built within 100 metres of home but there is a two kilometre veto zone around proposed wind turbines – Labor has promised to halve this zone.
Professor Flannery said Victoria had just as good conditions for wind and solar power as South Australia but was still too fixated on coal and was not providing the right regulatory conditions to encourage renewables.
With less than two weeks to go before the election Professor Flannery called on both parties to commit to a renewable energy target.
“Renewables create jobs and can reduce the cost of power as well as reducing greenhouse emissions,” he said……… : http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victoria-state-election-2014/victorian-election-2014-state-has-worst-renewable-energy-policy-environment-20141117-11ofqh.html#ixzz3K14GKIKj
Australian government policy ensures uncertainty about future of renewable energy
At the end of the day, developers need surety that policy decisions will not affect the future financial viability of their projects. Until then they will continue to sit on the fence and wait – to the detriment of the renewable energy sector as a whole
Why has investment in renewable energy projects stalled? The Conversation, Craig Froome, 23 Nov 14, Global Change Institute – Clean Energy Program Manager at The University of Queensland
“……. An uncertain futureThe RET has come under much scrutiny in recent months as the federal government attempts to wind it back. This has also seen the government — both federal and state — take a negative approach to policy measures that promote more renewable energy in the energy system.
The result is that many proposed projects that factored in income from the RET have been put on hold, due to the uncertainty of their future income. In the shadow of this uncertainty, finding finance for projects is also a major issue as financiers become more wary. Continue reading
Nuclear industry, and hence the uranium industry – on the road to collapsing
The nuclear house of cards Online opinion, By Mia Pepper – Thursday, 20 November 2014 “…….. While the nuclear ideologues are charging ahead, many investors are treading carefully.
Mining journalist Dryblower this week made an interesting distinction between uranium and other minerals: “Because uranium is really not part of the pure mining industry but an arm of the nuclear industry it’s easy to understand why most investors prefer simpler metals where there is a chance that a discovery can be brought into production without incurring multiple layers of complexity.”………..
The marginal and short-term increase in uranium is hardly cause for celebration. Even from the miners’ point of view, there is little to celebrate since the current price is barely half that needed to make new mines viable or profitable.
All this excitement is really based on the hope from the industry that there will be a long-term increase in the demand for uranium. Often pointing to new build reactors in India and China, the industry is optimistic.
However according the World Nuclear Industry Status Report of 2014 there are currently 39 operating reactors that are operating over their 40 year life expectancy and due for closure. The report projects a long term decline in the number of reactors after 2020.
Likewise, in a report released last week the International Energy Agency warns of a looming “wave of retirements” of ageing reactors with almost 200 of the 434 reactors expected to be shut down by 2040. IEA chief economist Faith Bristolsaid: “I am afraid we are not well-prepared in terms of policies and funds which are devoted to decommissioning. A major concern for all of us is how we are going to deal with this massive surge in retirements in nuclear power plants.”
In the face of nuclear war, nuclear disaster, public opposition, financial struggle, and the growth and competitiveness of renewable technologies, the house of cards that is the nuclear industry is bound to collapse again. http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=16869
BHP having a bet each way on climate change – both coal and uranium
BHP has, in the past, always spruiked climate change and carbon pricing – in the knowledge that the nuclear industry was, and is again,putting over the world the lie that uranium/nuclear power is the cure for climate change
BHP says action needed on climate change but won’t rule out coal investments at AGM, ABC Radio The World Today Sue Lannin reported this story on Thursday, November 20, 2014
ELEANOR HALL: BHP Billiton held its annual general meeting in Adelaide today
Its executives have been attempting to explain to shareholders why the company is helping to drive the drastic fall in commodity prices.
BHP Billiton promised to hold a vote for investors in May next year to enable shareholders to have their say on the company’s plans to spin off its less profitable businesses.
But many shareholders at the meeting focused on the environment and BHP Billiton’s record on climate change.
Our resources reporter, Sue Lannin, has been listening in and joins us now. So Sue, what sort of a turnout was there at the AGM today?
SUE LANNIN: Yes, we had many groups attending such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, residents’ groups, and environmentalists from Australia and overseas, which we often see at BHP Billiton AGMs.
And of course BHP is the world’s biggest miner with operations around the world in commodities such as iron ore, coal, copper and uranium……..
SUE LANNIN: For the time being the expansion plans are on hold. BHP Billiton put them on hold for economic reasons but it is doing trials, what’s it’s called leeching trials of the copper and uranium ore.
Now residents and environmental groups are concerned about the trials that are going on and also the existing uranium exports, and BHP Billiton actually admitted there had been an incident a couple of weeks back……..
Russia calls Australia unreliable partner in nuclear power industry
Australia unreliable partner in nuclear power industry — Russian FM Tass November 18, Australia has shot itself in the foot to demonstrate that it cannot be regarded as a reliable business partner in such a sensitive sphere as nuclear power, the Russian Foreign Ministry said MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. By refusing to supply uranium to Russia, Australia has positioned itself as an unreliable business partner in such a sensitive and responsible sphere as the nuclear power industry, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
South Australia a world leader on renewable energy, other States lagging badly
SOUTH Australia is a world leader when it comes to renewable energy but other states including Victoria have missed out on investment worth billions of dollars, a report has found.
AUSTRALIA is being put in a vulnerable position without clear federal policy and changes to the renewable energy target, Climate Council chief councillor Professor Tim Flannery says.
Prof Flannery said the Australian government has to stop dragging its feet and be willing to address the issues, instead of seeking to reduce its target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020.”If we can forge a policy mix, a policy formula, that serves our economy well, that allows us to do our bit for combating climate change at a commensurate level from what we’ve seen China and the US do, I think people will be satisfied.”Prof Flannery says individual states are being put under pressure to perform and the Climate Council report released on Tuesday has recorded varying results.He said South Australia took action early and now got 36 per cent of its energy from renewable resources while less than four per cent of Victoria’s energy is renewable.”Victoria has got fantastic wind and solar resources, every bit as good as South Australia but we’re seeing here a laggard state,” he said.”We haven’t seen the investment here in Victoria that we would otherwise have expected.”Victoria has probably missed out on $4 billion worth of investment in the renewable energy sector.”Prof Flannery said the NSW government has seen the error of its ways and is now committed to a renewable focus……..http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/sa-leads-states-on-renewable-energy/story-e6frfku9-1227126643185
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/235274195556
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 