clear Regulator.”
NSW Labor aims for “at least” 50% renewables by 2030 — RenewEconomy
NSW Labor says will target at least 50% renewables by 2030, and 100% of state government electricity needs by 2025. The post NSW Labor aims for “at least” 50% renewables by 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via NSW Labor aims for “at least” 50% renewables by 2030 — RenewEconomy
February 27 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “Experts Are Horrified by the Military’s Portable Nuclear Reactor” • Project Dilithium, which the US Army announced last month, involves shipping small, portable nuclear reactors to military bases where they can provide electricity for stretches of about three years. The concept is making many nuclear power experts nervous. [Futurism] ¶ “Green New Deal […]
Morrison pumps up Tasmania hydro as black coal emerges as likely biggest winner — RenewEconomy
As Scott Morrison throws money at pumped hydro schemes that the owners either didn’t want or don’t know what to do with, new modelling shows they will likely favour coal over renewables. The post Morrison pumps up Tasmania hydro as black coal emerges as likely biggest winner appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Morrison pumps up Tasmania hydro as black coal emerges as likely biggest winner — RenewEconomy
How solar saved the day, and coal wilted, in Australia’s record heatwaves — RenewEconomy
TAI report says renewables – and particularly solar – performed “the best of all energy sources” over the latest record breaking summer of heatwaves. The post How solar saved the day, and coal wilted, in Australia’s record heatwaves appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via How solar saved the day, and coal wilted, in Australia’s record heatwaves — RenewEconomy
New South Wales energy sector is “ageing and unprepared” — RenewEconomy
Climate Council calls out “risky business” of NSW’s complete lack of renewable energy and climate policies, while also being home to Australia’s largest and oldest coal fleet. The post New South Wales energy sector is “ageing and unprepared” appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via New South Wales energy sector is “ageing and unprepared” — RenewEconomy
Trump bans selected journalists from covering Trump-Kim dinner
White House bans four journalists from covering Trump-Kim dinner, SMH, By Philip Rucker 
and Josh DawseyFebruary 28, 2019 Hanoi, The White House abruptly banned four US journalists from covering President Donald Trump’s dinner on Wednesday with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un after some of them shouted questions at the leaders during their earlier meetings.Reporters from the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, the Los Angeles Times and Reuters were excluded from covering the dinner because of what White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said were “sensitivities over shouted questions in the previous sprays”. Among the questions asked of Trump was one about the congressional testimony of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
The White House’s move to restrict press access was an extraordinary act of retaliation by the US government, which historically has upheld the rights of journalists while a president travels overseas. It was especially remarkable because it came during Trump’s meeting with the leader of a totalitarian state that does not have a free press.
Trump’s exchanges with Kim were being covered by the standard 13-member travelling White House press pool, but ahead of the dinner Sanders sought to exclude all reporters from the pool and permit only the photographers and television crew, citing “sensitivities over shouted questions in the previous sprays”.
After loud pushback, including from photojournalists who protested, Sanders allowed a single reporter in the pool for the dinner: Vivian Salama of the Wall Street Journal, who was serving as the print pooler and did not ask a question at the dinner. In addition, at least two members of the North Korean media contingent, a photographer and cameraman, were seen covering the dinner.
Reporters for the three wire services, as well as a second print pooler, were excluded. They included two journalists who had asked Trump questions in the earlier appearances: Jonathan Lemire of the AP and Jeff Mason of Reuters. Also excluded were Justin Sink of Bloomberg and Eli Stokols of the Los Angeles Times………..
Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for the AP, said in a statement: “The Associated Press decries such efforts by the White House to restrict access to the president. It is critically important that any president uphold American press freedom standards, not only at home but especially while abroad.” .
…… Trump has long complained about reporters asking him questions at photo opportunities, especially when he is in the presence of foreign leaders, which aides have said he views as disrespectful and lacking in decorum. The White House occasionally has punished reporters for their questioning, including CNN’s Jim Acosta and Kaitlan Collins……https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/white-house-bans-four-journalists-from-covering-trump-kim-dinner-20190228-p510qg.html
To 27 February – Climate and Nuclear News Australia
I’ve tried to find good news – we need it. But, good news, by its nature, is not news. Most people try to behave decently, reasonable. When they don’t – that’s actually unusual , remarkable – and therefore is news. Anyway – here’s a good bit.:
Changing climate change“2040” paints an optimistic picture of the future of the environment, Youtube 2040 teaser http://www.whatsyour2040.com/
Meanwhile – New report warns of climate Armageddon in less than 150 years. New research indicates that world efforts towards climate change targets are likely to be too slow to take effect. Climate change bringing crises, population displacement, wars to Middle East countries. Climate change taking its toll on the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz2pmSw4aWU
Another good bit? South Korea offers hope that the Trump-Kim nuclear summit could bring an end to the Korean War.
Meanwhile – We are closer to a nuclear war than we would like to believe – new smaller bombs make this more likely. Indian and Pakistan relations have again reached a dangerous level.
AUSTRALIA
CLIMATE Climate and Energy Policies – Liberal/National versus Labor. Slick talk by Scott Morrison – but the government’s “climate policy” is still pro coal, and not effective against global warming. Morrison tries to play both sides of climate debate . Legal advice: Government cannot fund new coal plants without parliamentary approval. Climate change protesters disrupt parliamentary question time.
A fearful future for Australia’s one big river system – the Murray-Darling basin.
Law firm AJ and Co to wage war for Adani coal company – as an “attack dog”. Australia’s democracy is threatened by Adani’s ‘legal intimidation’ tactics against community groups. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to back the Adani mine.
NUCLEAR Kimba and Hawker communities kept in the dark about the dangers of hosting nuclear wastes. Call to scrap the plan for a national nuclear waste dump at Kimba, South Australia. Australia’s Liberal govt’s reaction to another earthquake close to planned nuclear dump site – “She’ll be right, mate!” Are there ANY members now on the Kimba radioactive dump community consultative committee? Scotland’s Ministers have the power to stop export of nuclear wastes to planned dump in South Australia.
Northern Territory passes law on nuclear wastes, reiterates opposition to NT nuclear waste dump.
Australia participating in the Waigani Convention, – banning import of nuclear wastes to island countries, controlling their transport,
In this time of critical drought, water shortage, South Australia’s govt lets BHP expand its water-guzzling Olympic Dam uranium mine.
Australia increasing protection for whistleblowers, (at least on matters financial)
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Cost-effective, clean, reliable grid: “You can have it all,” says Audrey Zibelman. South Australia Water on path to “net zero” power bills, with 154MW solar rollout.
Scrap the plan for a national nuclear waste dump at Kimba, South Australia
Facility should be scrapped, Eyre Tribune, AUSTEN EATTS, Kimba, 20 Feb 19,
My concerns are not with ANSTO, I appreciate and am aware of the work that is done there and its value.
My concern is the disposal of the waste that is created in the proposed National Radioactive Waste Facility in the Kimba district.
I realise the need for the waste facility for Australia’s waste only.
If it is as safe as claimed why transport the waste half way across Australia to 
become the responsibility of the rural community also when we have so much arid and semi-arid land in Australia.
The site will be here for hundreds if not thousands of years the responsibility of future generations.
I went to the first meeting organised by Rowan Ramsey our federal member, he said it would be low level waste that would be deposited in the proposed site.
The next meeting there would also be stored on a temporary basis intermediate level waste for a time of approximately three or four decades and an offer of ten million dollars and 15 jobs.
Now it is $31 million plus two million dollars every year for at least two years, a total of $35 million, plus 45 jobs.
The storage time for the intermediate waste could be 100 years.
The cost to build the waste facility is estimated to be approximately $200 million.
The 100 hectares of land will become federal government property, our local government, state government and present federal government will have no control over its future use.
The money offered is a bribe to call it anything else is just playing with words.
Regarding the proposed voting, at present between 700 and 800 people in the Kimba district have the right to vote.
The population of South Australia is approximately 1.5 million people.
The voters in the Kimba district will make the decision as to whether not only Kimba or Eyre Peninsula but the whole of South Australia will have a radioactive waste facility whether they want it or not.
It is undemocratic, unfair, the whole proposition should be scrapped.
Eyre Peninsula is a unique part of South Australia, don’t spoil it with a radioactive waste facility.https://www.eyretribune.com.au/story/5914045/letters-to-the-editor/?fbclid=IwAR03Y5IJmNdL0bkVW3-l89eRaixcbcpRvJgXhE75rWcR0JVaP0f3uqfe8vs
Climate and Energy Policies – Liberal/National versus Labor
Libs v Labor: climate and energy policies, https://www.sbs.com.au/news/libs-v-labor-climate-and-energy-policies
A comparison of the climate and energy policies of the Morrison government and the Labor Party.
Liberal-Nationals
– $2 billion boost to the Emissions Reduction Fund over 10 years, rebranded as the Climate Solutions Fund.
– The Paris agreement target for emissions of 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.
– Renewable Energy Target, to deliver 33,000 gigawatt hours of additional electricity from renewable energy sources in 2020.
– Continuing to fund the Australian Renewable Energy Agency until 2022, and investing what’s left of the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
– Default market prices for energy.
– Underwriting new generation plan to inject more energy into the network.
Labor
– $10 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation over five years.
– $5 billion to set up an independent Energy Security and Modernisation Fund.
– $31 million for an Energy Productivity Agenda.
45 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030.
– 50 per cent of power from renewables by 2030.
SOURCE AAP
Morrison puts lipstick on Tony Abbott’s pig of a climate policy — RenewEconomy
Scott Morrison re-badges Tony Abbott’s Direct Action policy and calls it something which it is not: A Climate Solutions package. The post Morrison puts lipstick on Tony Abbott’s pig of a climate policy appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Morrison puts lipstick on Tony Abbott’s pig of a climate policy — RenewEconomy
Nuclear summit between Trump and Kim offers hope of an end to the Korean War
Korean War could be declared over at Trump-Kim summit, says South Korea There’s an upbeat tone that a formal declaration ending the Korean War could be made at the Hanoi summit this week. SBS News 25 Feb 19, Hopes that US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War at the Hanoi summit rose Monday, after South Korea said the two leaders could reach an agreement.The devastating conflict between communist North Korea, backed by China, and the capitalist South, aided by the United States, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving Pyongyang and Washington still technically at war.
“I believe that the possibility is there,” the South’s presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters about a formal declaration.
“There is no way of knowing what kind of declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement.”
President Moon Jae-in said in October “it was only a matter of time” before Washington and Pyongyang declared an end to the war.
The US has also struck an upbeat tone. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea, said earlier this month that Trump was “ready to end this war”, fuelling speculation that the formal end of the conflict may be near.
Kim, the leader of North Korea, is due to meet the US president in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday and Thursday, where it is hoped the pair will make progress in talks on denuclearisation, and a possible peace treaty……..
President Trump says he would be happy as long as North Korea maintains its pause on weapons testing, and he is in no rush to strike a nuclear deal with Kim Jong-un. …..https://www.sbs.com.au/news/korean-war-could-be-declared-over-at-trump-kim-summit-says-south-korea
Slick talk by Scott Morrison – but the government’s “climate policy” is still pro coal, not effective against global warming
If the Coalition has had a climate epiphany, I’m Beyoncé, Guardian Katharine Murphy 25 Feb 19, Call the emissions reduction fund a ‘climate solutions’ fund if you like, but it doesn’t mean it is.
Let’s start with the good news. Scott Morrison is talking constructively about climate change because he is intelligent enough to understand that failing to do that renders the Coalition unelectable in parts of the country, and with parts of its own base.
Compared with where we’ve been, a Liberal prime minister standing up at a podium, accepting the science of climate change and making the case for action, is progress.
We need to acknowledge it.
But this isn’t, ultimately, a test of talking points.
It has to be a test of substance, and a test of whether or not you are prepared to be a grown-up government facing up to a significant policy problem – and the truth is the Coalition has been here before.
Right on this spot.
John Howard had a very similar epiphany in 2007, delivering a speech in Melbourne within sight of an election in much the same way Morrison did on Monday. Like Morrison, Howard knew the Coalition needed to switch course on climate policy because Australians then, like now, were fretting about extreme weather and the droughts that never seemed to end.
Howard signed the Liberal party up to emissions trading during his 2007 pivot. But after he lost the election to Kevin Rudd, madness descended inside the Coalition, and raged in full public view for a decade, with that madness killing most of the optimal policy solutions for dealing with emissions reduction.
While Morrison would like us to think that was all a bit of a bad dream, and the Coalition has actually been tremendous on climate policy despite all the compelling evidence to the contrary, the truth is the madness still defines the parameters of the policy.
Monday’s climate policy pivot reflects Morrison’s limited options. He’s unveiled a reboot of Tony Abbott’s Direct Action policy, kicking in more cash to the emissions reduction fund (although the cash only pans out at $200m a year), and giving it a new business card.
This mechanism will deliver some abatement, a significant chunk according to the government’s own projections, but the persistent question over the ERF as a mechanism (apart from why taxpayers have to pay, as opposed to big polluters) has always been whether it delivers any abatement beyond what would have happened anyway………
Just one more problem. You also have to line up Monday’s “climate solutions” pivot with the climate problem the government will create for itself if it proceeds to lock in more coal-fired power to Australia’s energy grid, underwritten by taxpayers, which is what the energy minister, Angus Taylor, keeps hinting he wants to do.
In order to hit reset on climate policy in a way that has some prospect of cutting through with the cohort of voters inclined to desert the government over this issue, and this issue alone, Morrison needed to do two things on Monday.
He needed to say sorry for all of that insanity. He needed to say I don’t know what came over us, but we aren’t going to do that again.
Prime ministers can do that in two ways. The first is to just say it, but that’s very hard for risk-averse politicians who equate public acts of humility with public acts of weakness.
The second is do it by implication: put forward a serious policy program that is an implicit apology for past misdeeds, and in so doing, project that you are prepared to stare down any internal brinkmanship that ensues.
That didn’t happen on Monday, and it didn’t happen on Monday because we all know what happens when the Coalition hits these particular tipping points.
Just ask Malcolm Turnbull. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/if-the-coalition-has-had-a-climate-epiphany-im-beyonce?CMP=share_btn_tw
Nukes Are No Answer To Climate Crisis
RALPH NADER RADIO HOUR https://ralphnaderradiohour.com/nukes-are-no-answer-to-climate-crisis/?fbclid=IwAR1WWrHrMbT0bflR2p7fJDw89KeS_qb1fMSRcAX6ESDXanFL6A2hDNbM8To
Dr. Gregory Jaczko served as Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2009-2012, and as a commissioner from 2005-2009. As Chairman, he played a lead role in the American government’s response to the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Dr. Jaczko is now an adjunct professor at Princeton University and Georgetown University, and an entrepreneur with a clean energy development company. He is the author of Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear Regulator.
“There are a lot of people running around, talking about how nuclear is the only way we’re going to solve climate change. And it just reminds me of these predictions back in the ‘60s of how we were going to have an entire country powered by nuclear power. A generation has forgotten those promises, and now they’re latching onto nuclear as some kind of solution to climate change. That, to me, is a real mistake.” Dr. Gregory Jaczko, former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and author of “Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear Regulator”
A successful indigenous fight against nuclear waste dumping
Fight against nuclear waste dump remembered at Ward Valley Spiritual 
Gathering http://www.mohavedailynews.com/needles_desert_star/fight-against-nuclear-waste-dump-remembered-at-ward-valley-spiritual/article_90eb72d6-389e-11e9-b4f7-9f6fab400ac1.html. By GENTRY MEDRANO Director, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Public Relations Department, 25 Feb 19,
February 25 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “The Osborne Effect On The Auto Industry” • A perfect storm is brewing above the automotive industry, as three hardly grasped phenomena are working together. They are the Osborne effect of delayed demand, the downward curve of technology costs, and the S-curve that describes market acceptance of new technologies. [CleanTechnica] ¶ “Morrison Puts […]
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