Australia with the right leadership, could run wholly on renewable energy
Renewable energy could “run Australia” Current, By Paul Brown Climate News Network, 16 Jan 13 LONDON – Australia could be self-sufficient in renewable energy in 10 years by converting to solar and wind energy if the country had the right social and political leadership, according to the Energy Research Institute of the University of Melbourne. Continue reading
Australian solar panel company third highest sales worldwide in 2012
REC Solar Panels An Australian Favourite, by Energy Matters, 12 Jan
13, The latest figures indicate Australia’s love affair with REC
solar panels remained strong in 2012.
Results from the company show Australian solar provider Energy
Matters and its sister company Apollo Energy sold the third highest
number of REC modules in the world last year; only behind a provider
in Germany and another in the USA……
http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3547
Australia’s fossil fuel plants mostly built by governments: wind energy deserves a helpful start, too
Wind energy tax credit
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/letters/wind-energy-tax-credit/story-fn558imw-1226549122040
Russell Marsh, Clean Energy Council, The Australian January 08, 2013
CONTRARY to Graham Lloyd’s article, the US production tax credit for
wind energy was extended as part of the fiscal cliff deal passed on
January 1 (“Blow to big wind in the power-market stakes”, 5-6/1).
Given that most major fossil fuel power plants in Australia were built
and funded by governments – and many are still owned by governments –
it is not unreasonable that renewable energy is provided with a modest
level of support until it becomes more established. The cost of wind
energy, for example, makes up less than 2 per cent of power bills.
While world markets have proven volatile over the last 12 months due
to the stop-start nature of government support in some countries,
Australia’s 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target has been a consistent
and relatively low-cost policy that has provided enough stability to
attract financiers and investors.
Australia is well-positioned to substantially increase the share of
renewable energy in our generation mix between here and the end of the
decade, creating tens of thousands of jobs and unlocking billions of
dollars of investment in the process.
Solar photovoltaic research at University of New South Wales
Australia-US institute for new photovoltaic technology, World
University News, 06 January 2013 An A$35 million (US$37 million)
grant from the Australian government has been allocated to the
University of New South Wales to create a US-Australian institute to
foster rapid development of “over the horizon” photovoltaic
technology. Continue reading
Court case on Victorian local council rejecting wind farm, despite favourable planning report
Company takes wind farm case to court
BY: PIA AKERMAN : The Australian January 05, 2013
A WIND farm slated for central Victoria will head to court this month
after a local council refused to approve the development, despite a
positive report from planning officers. subscription only
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/company-takes-wind-farm-case-to-court/story-e6frg9df-1226547856671
Carr wants North Korea response, The Age January 1, 2013
David Wroe AUSTRALIA will push for a tougher international response
to North Korea’s recent missile tests when it takes its seat on the
United Nations Security Council this week. Continue reading
Australia’s year of selling uranium to to dictatorships, crooks, murderers and proliferators
A Year Of Nuclear Bungles, New Matilda, By Jim Green, 19 Dec 12, “……Australia fuels proliferation tensions in North Asia by allowing Japan open ended permission to separate and stockpile weapons-useable plutonium produced from Australian uranium. The issue has resurfaced in recent months thanks to Japan’s nuclear hawks. Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba put it bluntly: “Having nuclear plants shows to other nations that Japan can make nuclear weapons.”
Last year, US President Obama told a nuclear security summit: “We simply can’t go on accumulating huge amounts of the very material, like separated plutonium, that we are trying to keep away from terrorists.” Yet Australia gives open ended permission to Japan to separate plutonium from spent nuclear fuel and to stockpile it.
India’s comptroller and auditor-general, Vinod Rai, has found that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is ineffective and negligent. He found that 60 per cent of regulatory inspections for operating nuclear power reactors were either delayed or not undertaken at all. Smaller radiation facilities operate with no oversight at all. Existing legislation gives the board almost no punitive power.
Meanwhile, the Indian government continues to attack and murder citizens opposing nuclear power plants; to expand its nuclear weapons arsenal and its missile capabilities; and to thumb its nose at the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Nuclear security remains very poor and corruption is widespread.s…….
The first consignment of uranium from Australia has arrived in Russia following the 2010 ratification of a uranium supply agreement. Unfortunately, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards inspections of Australian uranium (and its by-products) will be rare if indeed any inspections take place at all. In 2008, Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties concluded that: “It is essential that actual physical inspection by the IAEA occurs at any Russian sites that may handle [Australian Obligated Nuclear Materials]. Further, the supply of uranium to Russia should be contingent upon such inspections being carried out.” The Gillard Government ignored the recommendation and ratified the agreement. ….
Selling WMD feedstock (in the form of uranium) to dictatorships, crooks, murderers and proliferators is a mug’s game. Just ask BHP Billiton — the world’s largest mining company has disbanded its Uranium Division, cancelled the Olympic Dam mine expansion (citing the depressed uranium price), and sold the Yeelirrie uranium deposit in WA for less than 7 per cent of the nominal value of the uranium resource…….. http://newmatilda.com/2012/12/19/year-nuclear-bungle
Australian Conservation Foundation warns Queensland govt on dangers and costs of uranium mining
It also disputed claims by the Queensland Government that there was a strong economic justification for the industry.
Uranium described as the “asbestos of the 21st century” http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/uuranium-described-asbestos-21st-century/1688327/ Owen Jacques 18th Dec 2012 A NATIONAL environmental group has described uranium mining as the “asbestos of the 21st century” in its fight against the Queensland Government’s plan to restart the industry.
The Australian Conservation Foundation handed its critical submission to the government today. In it, the ACF warns against Queensland re-opening the mining of uranium for use in overseas nuclear reactors.
The group said “tailings” – radioactive material left behind as part of the mining that must be contained for at least 10,000 years – were a particular concern. Continue reading
Western Australian Aboriginal communities pleased at govt rejection of Toro’s uranium mining plan
Federal Ministers announcement give hope to Aboriginal Communities http://nuclearfree.wordpress.com/media/ 19 Dec 12, The Australian and West Australian Nuclear Free Alliances (ANFA and WANFA) have today welcomed Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision to delay any approval of the Toro Wiluna uranium mine in WA, until there is more information.
WANFA chairperson, Kado Muir said “Minister Burke has given hope to the Aboriginal people represented by WANFA that the conservative Government in Western Australia cannot and will not get away with steam rolling development on our Traditional land.” “This decision sends a message to our Aboriginal communities that if you hold out and stand up strong for country – you can win. Thankyou Mr Burke.” Continue reading
How jolly! Ballarat schoolkids get shooting lessons for Christmas
Christina apologises for the picture below – all those girls. I bet it was boys who got the ballarat gun lessons
Ballarat region schools’ gun excursion sparks debate The Courier, By MELANIE WHELAN Dec. 18, 2012, “…..Students were taken to Beaufort Gun Club for lessons in clay target shooting – a sport in which Ballarat’s own Russell Mark is a multiple Olympic gold medallist.
Fuelling contention, the excursion was made two days after the United States’ Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut when 28 people, mostly elementary school children, were killed.
Ballarat High School principal Gary Palmer yesterday defended his school’s decision to go ahead with the activity….. Mr Palmer said the school sent its condolences to the families involved in the American tragedy.
Victorian Education Department confirmed Ballarat High School had followed correct procedure, having parents sign consent forms…. Gun Control Australia secretary David Stack told News Limited the excursion was idiotic and insensitive following the US massacre…. http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1194817/ballarat-region-schools-gun-excursion-sparks-debate/?cs=61
Mining industry losing enthusiasm for exploration in Northern Territory
Mining exploration cut back in the NT http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201212/s3656725.htm
By Caddie Brain, 18/12/2012 Mining exploration spending in the Northern Territory has dropped for the first time in seven years. After a record year in 2011, this year’s expenditure by companies looking for minerals in the Outback is down by more than 25 per cent.
Dr Ian Scrimgeour, from the NT Department of Mines and Energy, says there’s no appetite for high-risk investment in the current economic climate.
“This time last year we had about $161 million spent on exploration. That’s now dropped in 2012 to about $119 million,” he said. “Having said that, those figures don’t include petroleum, but we know that there’s just been a massive amount of activity going on and it’s a real boom industry for the Northern Territory.”
Kyoto protocol still the world’s only climate change treaty
But there are some good news stories from the latest Kyoto round….
Australia is doing right by the Kyoto protocol. But we must run faster up the down escalator…..
The issue should be beyond politics.
The road to a living planet still passes through Kyoto http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/editorial/the-road-to-a-living-planet-still-passes-through-kyoto-20121216-2bhgo.html December 17, 2012 THE world won’t come to an end this Friday, despite the Mayans’ prognostications. Not only that, it will be reborn 11 days later. Yes, on January 1, the second phase of the Kyoto protocol comes into force.
Kyoto is still the world’s only climate change treaty but, while only seven years old, it already looks a bit old hat.
Kevin Rudd signed up for Australia five years ago this month. Things haven’t got much better for the present Prime Minister, or the treaty. Russia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand declined to agree to a second commitment period under the protocol. Yes, even Japan doesn’t love Kyoto. Continue reading
A call to simplify Christmas, and make it good
here’s some simple suggestions to make this holiday a tad more palatable for all of us.
Let’s give thanks and be inclusive
Give something you actually care about – yourself [your time]
Let’s bar the humbug this Christmas, the Age, December 15, 2012 Wendy Squires “…. – most Australians who tick the census box as being ”Christian” are not using December 25 to instil the teachings of Christ, morals, empathy or ethics. I am not alone in the struggle to see the joy and rationale my Christian friends assure me exist beyond the mindless cacophony of commercial crapola, feigned frivolity and glutinous gorging that unfailingly shocks me each December.
……And I don’t buy the ”it’s all about the little children” bull either. If the emotional foundations of future generations lie in
obscene piles of useless tat ultimately destined for landfills, delivered by a fat man driving a reindeer-led sleigh from the North Pole, well, the best I can say is that creationism won’t seem that far-fetched in comparison. (My late mother’s take on Santa – ”I worked long hours in a windowless office to buy you that doll. Some old dude that doesn’t even exist sure isn’t going to get the credit.” Respect!)
So, on behalf of those of us who endure this holiday not so much as a re-enforcement of faith but a loss of it, I say let’s rethink this palaver. I may not believe in God but I do believe there is a good message that could be retrieved from this modern-day mess. Continue reading
Wake up Australia – to the shonky Zero Carbon Options report, and to Lynas rare earths
Short of time today. So I have made it a “spinbuster special” – on 2 subjects that need sceptical study.
There are other news items today – ERA closing down Ranger uranium mine. Australia sending first batch of uranium to Russia. More later
Few Australians realise that the Federal Government is about to abandon environmental protection
Fox, meet hen house. At a meeting this week the Federal Government will further its plan to hand over its environmental oversight and protection responsibilities to the State Premiers.
Where does this crazy idea come from? The Business Council of Australia. Why? Because states have a terrible record of protecting our most important national treasures and the Business Council wants a blank permission slip to mine, log, or develop wherever they like. If it weren’t for the protection of the Federal Government, we would have lost places like the Great Barrier Reef, the Franklin River, the Daintree Rainforest and Fraser Island a long time ago.
Most Australians have no idea this is even happening, much less what it could mean for the places we love. But we can change that. By increasing public awareness about all that’s at stake, we can counter the influence of the Business Council at Friday’s COAG and back in the politicians who want to protect the places and species that belong to all Australians.
That’s why we’re taking out a full page ad in The Australian on the day of the COAG meeting, asking the Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tony Burke to step up to their responsibilities, not hand them over to Barry O’Farrell, Campbell Newman and the other State Premiers.
http://www.getup.org.au/keep-federal-govt-enviro-powers
It beggars belief that the Prime Minister would want to hand over power to the States at a time like this: former NSW government ministers are being investigated for multi-million dollar corruption in relation to Hunter Valley mining licenses. Queensland’s Campbell Newman is trying to allow giant coal ports inside the Great Barrier Reef. And in Tasmania, miners want to dig up the ancient rainforests of the Tarkine.
Experts are already lining up to call this a really bad idea. Sir David Attenborough joined 500 of the world’s leading conservationists in an open letter to Julia Gillard, urging her to reconsider1. Former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox has called the move “an extremely backward step” and says, “I’m just staggered, frankly, that it’s being given serious consideration.”2 Every environmental group in the country agrees with them.
Here’s why: state governments don’t exactly have a great track record with environmental protection. They’re too dependent on royalties from major projects like coal seam gas, mining and development. They have a direct incentive to push approvals through quickly and deal with the fall-out later. Don’t let them get away with it: click here to chip in to increase public pressure and hold them accountable. Continue reading
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
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 