Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Australian Greens plan for a solar South Australia

greensSmAustralian Greens announce plan to fund solar panels for 48,000 SA homes map solar south-australiaJune 16, 2016  http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/federal-election/australian-greens-announce-plan-to-fund-solar-panels-for-48000-sa-homes/news-story/fd62f39d9131861e539f9a674 Political Editor Tory Shepherd, Advertiser MORE than 48,000 South Australian homes would get solar panels and energy efficient measures under an Australian Greens plan to reduce electricity costs and reduce emissions.

Deputy Leader Larissa Waters and SA Senator Robert Simms has announced in Adelaide today a plan to spend $2000 on each public and community housing home, which they say could save renters as much as $1075 a year.

The plan would cost $60 million a year, and would not be finished until 2030. By that point homes would be retrofitted with energy-saving and water efficient devices, with solar on every roof.

Senator Simms said it would also boost jobs, employing thousands of South Australians.

“This initiative would not only provide South Australians with more jobs in the renewable energy and green housing sector, but it would save the average household $780 per year in electricity bills from installing solar alone,” he said.

 “When people in our community are risking their health because they can’t afford to run a heater in the middle of winter, we know there is a problem.”

Senator Waters said nationally it would help about 800,000 people. More than 2400 deaths a year are associated with cold weather, she said.

“We have an unequal system where our lowest earners are paying the highest price for power, many in ageing houses that are inefficient to run, hot in summer and freezing in winter,” she said.

The Greens will not be able to form Government but they may share the balance of power in the Senate after the July 2 election, which could give them leverage over the major parties.

June 17, 2016 Posted by | election 2016, politics, solar, South Australia | Leave a comment

Greens propose a more rational way to deal with Lucas Heights’ returning nuclear wastes

greensSm

“The Greens policy delivers a way forward by redirecting existing funding of $30 million from the current process to a new deliberative public inquiry focused on transparency and evidence to come up with the best possible ­solutions,” South Australian Greens senator Robert Simms said.   

Federal election 2016: Greens would put nuke dump on hold JARED OWENS   The Australian,June 10, 2016  The Greens are pushing to stockpile radioactive waste in suburban Sydney, pending an independent inquiry that would expressly ­exclude evidence from anyone who might profit from a dedicated ­nuclear dump.

The party’s nuclear policy would cancel the process led by Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg that has identified farmland at Barndioota, 400km north of Adelaide, as a potential nuclear waste site, despite objections raised by some traditional owners.

Under the policy, exports of Australian nuclear medicine to overseas patients would be curbed and research would be funded to find alternatives to radiotherapy.

The proposed independent ­inquiry would be charged with recom­mending a long-term solution to storing nuclear waste — typically, used medical equipment and spent fuel rods from Sydney’s Lucas Heights reactor — without imposing a dump site on reluctant communities. Continue reading →

June 15, 2016 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, election 2016, wastes | Leave a comment

Labor would reinstate funding to environment legal centres

logo-ALPLabor to return environment legal centres  http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/06/14/21/00/labor-to-return-environment-legal-centres#EJais4TajqQhgw6s.99 A federal Labor government would hand back taxpayer money to environment legal centres, pledging almost $11 million over four years.

Environment spokesman Mark Butler revealed Labor would reinstate federal funding to environmental defenders officers, after the Abbott government stripped the legal centres of cash in 2013.

Mr Butler also confirmed Labor would retain the federal government’s power to make environmental approvals, reversing the coalition’s policy of handing those powers to the states.

 The centres were established by Labor to hold governments and companies accountable for breaking environmental laws and provide free legal advice on new developments, pollution and other issues. Australian Conservation Foundation says the offices are a “critical part” of democracy, providing a voice for communities and the environment in the courts.

“Australians need to be able to trust the national system of environment approvals,” campaigns director Paul Sinclair said.

Labor also promised to streamline environmental assessments with states, while looking at options for an independent environment protection body.

The Wilderness Society called on the coalition to back an independent agency to work as a regulator.

“We need a new national independent environment body free from political interference,” national director Lyndon Schneiders said.

June 15, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Bill Shorten ambivalent at the least, about Australia importing nuclear waste

Shorten,-Bill-glowBill Shorten signals he may be open to supporting high level nuclear waste dump for SA, ABC News By Michael Coggan 17 Feb 2016, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has given qualified support for the establishment of a multi-billion-dollar nuclear waste storage repository in South Australia.

Key points:

  • Bill Shorten may back a high-level nuclear waste dump in SA if economics and safeguards stack up
  • Labor has traditionally opposed an expansion of the nuclear industry
  • Mr Shorten says issue must not be consigned to the “too-hard basket”

Traditionally, Labor has opposed the expansion of the nuclear industry.

The Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle released tentative findings yesterday that suggested South Australia stood to reap $5 billion a year if it established a “high-level” nuclear waste facility.

The early findings suggest that nuclear power generation is not viable in the short term.

In response to the nuclear waste dump option, Mr Shorten said “on this question, (SA Premier) Jay Weatherill and I are of one mind”.…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/shorten-and-weatherill-of-one-mind-on-sa-nuclear-waste-dump/7174002

Bill Shorten refuses to back South Australian nuclear probe, THE Australian 10 Feb 15   BILL Shorten has refused to back the South Australian Labor government’s proposal to investigate nuclear energy. …..

spokesman for the federal ­Opposition Leader said he would not support the inquiry, and the ALP had a “longstanding position on nuclear power based on the best available expert advice”.

Labor has maintained consistent opposition to the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is also “strongly opposed” to the importation and storage of nuclear waste sourced from overseas in Australia…… http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/bill-shorten-refuses-to-back-south-australian-nuclear-probe/story-e6frgczx-1227213806115

June 11, 2016 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, election 2016, politics | Leave a comment

Climate change action can’t wait until the 2020 election: it’s critical NOW

Australia's politiciansThis Is The Climate Change Election, Despite What Turnbull Or Shorten Say NewMatilda,     June 10, 2016 Both parties are ignoring the big, coal-coloured elephant in the room. With the world speeding towards a tipping point, action can not wait for the next election cycle to begin, writes Costa Avgoustinos.

Climate change is the number one issue this election, whether Turnbull or Shorten are willing to frame it that way or not. This is not only because averting climate disaster is important. It’s because our ability to do so is time-sensitive – after decades of delay the window for effective climate action is closing rapidly and will soon shut forever.

Here is a quick and dirty summary of the climate science: If the world heats up 1.5°C, we’re screwed.

Why? Because it is expected at this “tipping point”, how hot things get begins to significantly fall from our control. A series of events we have no power over are triggered once 1.5°C is breached – for example, the ability of oceans and forests to absorb our carbon emissions are substantially exhausted and greenhouse gases currently trapped under ice start being released.

We may soon be placed in a position where all we can do is powerlessly watch as temperatures climb to Mad Max levels; where sea rises will gobble at our coasts (where 85 per cent of Australians live), food and water sources are devastated, heat-thriving diseases are incubated, and conflicts and a meaner streak of politics are inevitable.

Because politicians are not taking the task of staying below the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C seriously, many predict we are “locking in” temperature rises of 4°C, which Professor John Schellnhuber, one of the world’s most influential climate scientists, bluntly stated at a conference in Australia would threaten nothing less than “human civilisation”.

The World Bank, hardly an organisation of tree huggers, stated “all our work, all our thinking, is designed with the threat of a 4°C degree world in mind” with the unnerving warning that there is “no certainty that adaptation to a 4°C world is possible”………..

Both the Coalition and Labor stoke and exploit our psychological blindspot, the difficulty we all have in seeing the climate crisis for the danger that it is, to get us talking about what they want us to consider an emergency. Don’t let them do it. This election, vote for climate action and against new coal mines. It is literally the most critical issue on the table, and its time is now.  https://newmatilda.com/2016/06/10/this-is-the-climate-change-election-despite-what-turnbull-or-shorten-say/

June 11, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Nick Xenophon Team has NO policy on nuclear wastes

How long can Senator Nick Xenophon sit on the fence regarding the plan for Australia to import the world’s nuclear waste?

Xenophon sitting on fence

Xenophon has said that he wants a referendum in South Australia, on this issue – BUT ONLY AFTER a dump site has been selected. 

Nuclear waste dumping was the main focus of questions at a recent Nick Xenophon forum.

The nuclear waste import plan is not just a matter for South Australia. It is  a critically important issue for all of Australia. With the federal election looming, it’s becoming apparent that the Nick Xenophon Team could well hold the balance of power, post election.

There’s no mention of nuclear issues in their national policy. Not good enough. Time Xenophon came clean  on whether or not he will fall in with the nuclear lobby’s plans.

June 10, 2016 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, election 2016 | Leave a comment

Greens move to prevent vested interests profiting from Federal nuclear waste dump

greensSmFederal election 2016: Greens would put nuke dump on hold, THE AUSTRALIAN, JUNE 10, 2016  The Greens are pushing to stockpile radioactive waste in suburban Sydney, pending an independent inquiry that would expressly ­exclude evidence from anyone who might profit from a dedicated ­nuclear dump.

The party’s nuclear policy would cancel the process led by Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg that has identified farmland at Barndioota, 400km north of Adelaide, as a potential nuclear waste site, despite objections raised by some traditional owners.

Under the policy, exports of Australian nuclear medicine to overseas patients would be curbed and research would be funded to find alternatives to radiotherapy.

The proposed independent ­inquiry would be charged with recom­mending a long-term solution to storing nuclear waste — typically, used medical equipment and spent fuel rods from Sydney’s Lucas Heights reactor — without imposing a dump site on reluctant communities.

In the meantime, intermediate-level nuclear waste would contin­ue to be warehoused at the Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney’s south.

The inquiry would hear from community groups and experts in engineering, social science, envir­onmental science, community consultation, radiation and medicine, the policy says.

However, witnesses deemed to have a “conflict of interest” — that is, those who might profit from the storage of nuclear waste — would be excluded from the process.

“The Greens policy delivers a way forward by redirecting existing funding of $30 million from the current process to a new deliberative public inquiry focused on transparency and evidence to come up with the best possible ­solutions,” South Australian Greens senator Robert Simms said.

The policy adds to the growing list of demands that Bill Shorten would face in exchange for the minor party’s support in the event of a hung parliament……..

The Greens’ proposed inquiry would run alongside a separate royal commission into British ­nuclear testing in South Australia and Western Australia in the 1950s and 1960s.  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-greens-would-put-nuke-dump-on-hold/news-story/42fabc8f9172fe65f1f282322fe60ade

June 10, 2016 Posted by | election 2016, politics, wastes | Leave a comment

Election 2016: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders unite

Launch of the #RedfernStatement 2016
https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/election-2016-national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-leaders-unite
“The #RedfernStatement at a glance:
The Statement calls on the next Federal Government to:
– Restore the $534m cut from the Indigenous Affairs Portfolio by the 2014 Budget.
– Commit to better and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through their representative national peaks.
– Recommit to Closing the Gap by:
i. setting targets to reduce rates of family violence, incarceration and out-of-home care and increase access to disability support services; and
ii. securing national funding agreements to drive the implementation of national strategies.
– Commit to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to establish a Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the future.
– Commit to address the unfinished business of reconciliation.”

June 10, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Labor politicians ambivalent on nuclear waste importing?

alp-indecision 1Already, I have received a number of replies to my question to Labor politicians and candidates. Some replies have directly answered the question:

“Would you vote for changing Labor Nuclear Policy or would you vote to keep the present policy?”

Quite a few Labor politicians have opted to send a standard answer, THAT DOESN’T QUITE ANSWER THE QUESTION.  (I have wtitten back, politely asking them for more clarity on their personal position) This is their reply:

Thank you for your email regarding nuclear waste.
Labor is strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.
However, Australian produces much of its own radioactive material – life-saving medical diagnoses and treatments, industry, agriculture, veterinary science, communications and home consumer products all generate and use radioactive material in some way.
Most nuclear waste generated in Australia is low-level nuclear material including contaminated paper, plastic, protective clothing, glassware and smoke detectors.
Australians also produce much smaller amounts of intermediate-level waste from reprocessing spent fuel used in scientific and industrial research as well as production of lifesaving nuclear medicines. Very small volumes also arise from other medical, veterinary and industrial practices including disused radiotherapy and industrial radiography sources.
In health, ANSTO produces more than 500,000 patient doses of life-saving nuclear medicines each year. These are used in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of medical problems including cancers, heart and lung diseases and bone damage. During their lifetime, one in two Australians will benefit from diagnoses or treatment using nuclear medicines. That’s more than 10 million people.
We should not expect these benefits without accepting the responsibility of managing and storing the waste radioactive material generated.
Australia’s current management and storage arrangements create unnecessary complexity, causing safety and security risks. 
A national facility will provide a long-term answer to the safe storage and management of the radioactive waste that Australians will continue to produce.
The site-selection process for this national facility is a necessarily long and in-depth process and must not be rushed. Environmental, meteorological, hydrological and heritage evaluations must be considered before final site selection.
Regional consultative committees need to provide extensive and continuing community consultation, honestly and openly, allowing communities to make decisions based on facts.
Labor is committed to finding a solution for storage of Australia’s nuclear waste. We will continue to oppose the importation of nuclear waste from other countries.

 

June 9, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

New South Wales people: put your Labor politicians on the nuclear spot!

ALP IndecisionSAMPLE EMAIL

 It is best to send emails or letters in your own  words. However, here’s USA election 2016an example anyway.

My website will follow with interest – the politicians who bothered to answer, and whether or not they will stick to Labor’s policy.
Your own address, and date
 Sender’s address
The Hon Mr or Ms……..
Member for
Dear …….
 As the Federal Election approaches, I need to know what is you position on the nuclear issue.
The 2015 National Policy Platform states:
  1. Labor will:
  • Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste; 
  • Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia; 
  • Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and 
  • Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.
The South Australian Labor government t is promoting a move to import nuclear wastes.  In view of this, the National Labor Party will surely be re-examining the national policy.
Before deciding on my vote, I need to be sure of Labor policy on this issue.
 Please tell me:
Will you vote to keep the present Labor policy as above, or will you vote to change it?
Yours faithfully
Your name
NEW SOUTH WALES LABOR FEDERAL MPs, SENATORS and CANDIDATES

MPs
Hon Anthony Albanese MP   for grayndler  A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 4664
Hon Sharon Bird MP for Cunningham  Sharon.Bird.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 6277 4244
Hon Chris Bowen MP for McMahon, Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 9604 0710
Hon Tony Burke MP  for Watson Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 9750 9088
Hon Jason Clare MP for Blaxland  – no email  (02) 9790 2466
Hon Ms Sharon Claydon MP – no email (02) 4926 1555
Hon  Mr Pat Conroy MP  Pat.Conroy. MP@aph.gov.au   02) 4954 261
Hon Justine Elliot MP – for Richmond  Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au  (07) 5523 4371
Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP – for Hunter   Joel.fitzgibbon.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 4991 1022
Hon Mr Chris Hayes MP – for Fowler  Chris.Hayes.MP@aph.gov.au   (02) 9726 3988
Hon Ed Husic MP for Chifley – no email  (02) 6277 4488
Mr Stephen Jones MP for Throsby  no email  (02) 4262 6122
Hon  Ms Julie Owens MP   for Parramatta Julie.Owens.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 6277 4134

 Hon Tanya Plibersek MP for Sydney –   (02) 6277 4404   tanya.plibersek.mp@aph.gov.au

Ms Michelle Rowland MP – for Greenway  michelle.rowland.mp@aph.gov.au  (02) 9671 4780

SENATORS

Senator the Hon Doug Cameron    senator.cameron@aph.gov.au  (02) 6277 3367

Senator Sam Dastyari    senator.dastyari@aph.gov.au   (02) 9326 5987
Senator Jenny McAllister  jennifer.mcallister@aph.gov.au  (02) 9719 8100

Senator Deborah O’Neill  – no email –  (02) 4367 4565
 
CANDIDATES  

Peter Alley  for Lyne peter@peteralley.com  0428 327 525

Josh Andrews – for Berowra josh@joshnandrews.com 0423 132 262

Aoife Champion for HUme – aoife.champion@nswlabor.org.au 0413 794 318

Anne Charlton – for Robertson – no email – 0412 863 792
Milton Dick – for Oxley Milton.Dick@australianlabor.com.au   (07) 3372 8980
Michael Freelander for Macarthur –  mike.freelander@australianlabor.com.au  0499 938 5030
Rhonda Funnell for Mackellar – for Mackellar Rhonda.Funnell@nswlabor.org.au0400 916 196
Chris Gambian for Banks – chris@chrisgambian.com.au   0438 898 198
Katie Gompertz for Bradfield – no email 0417 952 723

Lyndal Howison for Bennelong – lyndalhowison@gmail.com 0478 913 841
Emma Husar for Lindsay – emma.husar@australianlabor.com.au  0499 394 517
Mr Jess Jennings- http://www.jesswecan.net (no ph no.)
Christian Kunde for Farrer – christian.kunde@nswlabor.org.au 0423 413 849
Emma McBride for Dobell – (no ph no)
Fiona Phillips for Glmore – Fiona.Phillips@nswlabor.org.au 0434626669
Andrew Punch for Mitchell  0490 347 212 mitchell@andrewpunch.com.au

Diedree Steinwall for Hughes Diedree.Steinwall@nswlabor.org.au  0415 578 318
Susan Templeman for Macquarie susantempleman@gmail.com (no ph no)
Damian Wood for Cowper  (contact not available)

June 7, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Labor politicians and candidates: question them on nuclear policy!

ALP IndecisionSAMPLE EMAIL USA election 2016

 It is best to send emails or letters in your own  words. However, here’s an example anyway.

My website will follow with interest – the politicians who bothered to answer, and whether or not they will stick to Labor’s policy.
Your own address, and date
 Sender’s address
The Hon Mr or Ms……..
Member for
Dear …….
 As the Federal Election approaches, I need to know what is you position on the nuclear issue.
The 2015 National Policy Platform states:
  1. Labor will:
  • Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste; 
  • Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia; 
  • Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and 
  • Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.
The South Australian Labor government t is promoting a move to import nuclear wastes.  In view of this, the National Labor Party will surely be re-examining the national policy.
Before deciding on my vote, I need to be sure of Labor policy on this issue.
 Please tell me:
Will you vote to keep the present Labor policy as above, or will you vote to change it?
Yours faithfully
Your name
VICTORIAN MEMBERS OF FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
Hon Anthony Byrne MP – MP for Holt   Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au  (03) 9796 7533
Hon Ms Lisa Chesters MP – for Bendigo  Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055
Hon Michael Danby MP – Melbourne Ports – Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9534 8126
Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP – for Isaacs –   mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au
Hon David Feeney – for Batman     david.feeney@australianlabor.com.au
Hon Andrew Giles for Scullin – Andrew.Giles@vic.alp.org.au  (03) 9404 1911
Hon Catherine King  MP for Ballarat  Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au    03) 5338 8123
Hon Jenny Macklin – for Jagajaga no email.(03) 9459 1411Richard Marles- for Coria     richard.marles.mp@aph.gov.au    03) 5221 3033

Rob Mitchell MP  – for Mcewan    rob.mitchell.mp@aph.gov.au  (03) 9333 0440
Brendan O’Connor for Gorton    Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au   (03) 8390 6166
Clare O’Neil – for Hotham     Clare.ONeil.MP@aph.gov.au     (03) 9545 6211
Ms Joanne Ryan- for Lalor – no email (03) 9742 5800
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP – for Calwell     Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9367 5216
Mr Tim Watts MP for Gellibrand   http://www.timwatts.net.au/Contact/Contact-Info (03)9687 7661

SENATORS VICTORIA
Senator the Hon Kim Carr   senator.carr@aph.gov.au  (03) 9639 2798
Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins     https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contact_Senator_or_Member?MPID=GB6
03) 9890 7022
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy   senator.conroy@aph.gov.au (03) 9391 4952
Senator Gavin Marshall   senator.marshall@aph.gov.au  (03) 9348 9699


CANDIDATES  VICTORIA
Chris Buckingham for McMillan   Chris.Buckingham@vic.alp.org.au      0405 518 057
Paul Klisaris – for Ashton paul.klisaris@vic.alp.org.au   0412 516 026
Hovig Melkonian –  for Casey   hovigmelkonian@australianlabor.com.au     0459 959 095
Stefanie Perri – for Chisholm    stefanie.perri@australianlabor.com.au (03) 9544 2192
Shashi Bhatti – for Gippsland  https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Shashi%2BBhatti/keywords_top
Carl Katter – for Higgins  carl@carlkatter.com  0432 507 140
Libby Coker,   for Corangamite, libby.coker@libbycoker.com.au  0400 267 288
Matthew Coote – for Goldstein  matthew.coote@vic.alp.org.au    0435 496 625
Tony Clark – for Deakin (03) 8819 0398 http://tonyclark.net.au/Contact
Simon Curtis for Latrobe    simon.curtis@vic.alp.org.au   0400 174 155
Marg D’Arcy  marg@margdarcy.com  0409859046
Sophie Ismail for Melbourne  sophie4melbourne@gmail.com  0474 014 540
Eric Kerr – for Indi  Eric.Kerr@vic.alp.org.au
Peta Murphy – for Dunkley 0468 778 143 peta.murphy@vic.alp.org.au
Carolyn Gleixner – for Flinders    carolyngleixneralp@gmail.com   (03) 5989 0537
Adam Rundell for Menzies   Adam.Rundell@vic.alp.org.au
Lydia Senior – for Mallee   lydia@lydiasenior.com.au  0447 133 893
Alan Williams for Murray Alan.Williams@vic.alp.org.au

June 6, 2016 Posted by | ACTION, election 2016 | 1 Comment

Senator Jacqui Lambie comes out fully supporting the nuclear industry

USA election 2016NUCLEAR POWER   https://twitter.com/JacquiLambie

JLN notes that should the majority of Australians agree to allow the establishment of a home-grown industry of nuclear power generation; this of course will significantly de-carbonise our base-load national energy supply and achieve the same purpose as a carbon tax or ETS for the environment, while keeping the cost of electricity low and competitive with our major trading partners.

Lambie,-Jacqui

JLN notes that Australia has more than 30% of the world’s known uranium resources and has the potential to become the new Saudi Arabia of the 21stCentury, which continues to embrace the rapidly advancing technologies and new safer methods of nuclear power generation.

June 3, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Labor’s community solar hubs would benefit renters and pensioners

As of February this year, more than 1.5 million Australian homes had rooftop solar panels. But Labor believes gaps exist among households unable to access the technology, such as renters, public housing tenants and apartment dwellers.

The community power hubs would work with communities to develop renewable projects by providing legal and technical expertise and start-up funding.

solar microgrid

Projects might include community wind farms, “solar gardens” or shared arrays of solar panels for groups of renters, retrofitting social housing to promote energy efficiency and encouraging solar rooftop installations on social housing and aged-care properties.

The hubs may also provide finance for low-income earners and pensioners, such as by using council rates as financial contributions for projects.

USA election 2016‘Solar revolution’: Labor climate plan warms up to renters, pensioners http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/solar-revolution-labor-climate-plan-warms-up-to-renters-pensioners-20160601-gp8sc8.html  June 1, 2016  Environment and immigration correspondent Groups of renters could share a “garden” of solar panels and the technology would be encouraged in public housing and aged-care homes in a $98.7 million Labor push to bring the “solar revolution” to those who do not own their homes.

The details came as the Greens announced a plan to double the number of paid firefighters to battle extreme bushfires, saying renewable energy is important but the effects of global warming are already being felt.

Fairfax Media polling this month showed two-thirds of voters believe the federal government is doing “not very much” or “nothing at all” to combat climate change,  and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s adherence to policies of the former Abbott administration has been interpreted as a trigger for a fall in his popular appeal ahead of the July 2 election.

In Brisbane on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten spruiked a Labor plan to create up to 10 “community power hubs” to allow more people to access renewable energy. Labor previously flagged the measure in the release of its broader climate election policies in April. Continue reading →

June 3, 2016 Posted by | election 2016, solar | Leave a comment

Labor’s renewable energy plan won’t cost taxpayers – Shorten

USA election 2016No net cost for renewable plan: Labor, SBS News 2 June 16 Bill Shorten insists his plan to have government departments and agencies run on 50 per cent renewables won’t cost taxpayers. Bill Shorten insists a plan to force commonwealth agencies to run on 50 per cent renewable energy will have no net cost.

But the opposition leader won’t say if the policy has been costed, relying on a government-commissioned report that found renewable energy puts downward pressure on power prices. He’s also banking on technology getting cheaper before 2030. “There’ll be no net cost,” Mr Shorten told reporters in Sydney on Thursday. “I know if you want an economic plan you’ve got to have a plan for climate change.”……..

Mr Shorten referenced an Abbott-government initiated review into the Renewable Energy Target – which recommended the policy be pared back – as proof there would be no net cost.

The RET was subsequently slashed from 41,000 gigawatt hours to 33,500 by 2020, after a lengthy stand-off between the coalition and Labor. Investment in the sector fell 88 per cent last year as a result.

Labor wants half of all Australian energy to come from renewables by 2030, while the coalition is yet to reveal a goal past 2020.

Many commonwealth services were in the ACT, which was already sourcing renewable energy, Mr Shorten said. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/06/02/no-net-cost-renewable-plan-labor

June 3, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

Coalition electorates have highest proportion of solar powered homes

USA election 2016Liberal electorates have the highest proportion of voters who rely on solar power, and Australians using solar power are more likely to be in rural and regional marginal electorates…. (subscribers only)
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/coalition-electorates-have-highest-proportion-of-solar-powered-homes-20160601-gp95wc

June 3, 2016 Posted by | election 2016 | Leave a comment

« Previous Entries     Next Entries »