Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Aliens spying on nuclear plants? Do you believe it?

Well, I don’t.  But I wouldn’t rule out unidentified spying objects –  could be the USA and UK spying on each other, for all I know.  As for Australia – same thing, military spycraft reported in Northern Territory could look like alien  spacecraft.

Aliens have deactivated British and US nuclear missiles, say US military pilots  Telegraph By Andy Bloxham 28 Sept, Aliens have landed, infiltrated British nuclear missile sites and deactivated the weapons, according to US military pilots. Continue reading

September 29, 2010 Posted by | Christina reviews | , , | Leave a comment

Northern Territory leads the way in rejecting uranium mining at Alice Springs

Senator Ludlam has urged Resources Minister Martin Ferguson (right)  to support the decision by Mr Henderson……

NT uranium rejection is a lesson: Greens WA Business News, 28-September-10 by Kym Fuhrmann WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has urged the state and federal governments to take note of the decision by the Northern Territory government to oppose a uranium mine proposal near Alice Springs. Continue reading

September 29, 2010 Posted by | General News, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

New research shows France’s failed nuclear power model

Widely Misunderstood in U.S., the French “Nuclear Miracle” is Plagued by Fast-Rising Reactor Costs and “Crowding Out” of Renewables, Vermont Law School -September 9, 2010 C ooper Analysis Shows French Approach Touted by Some For U.S. Reactor Build-Up Is a Failed Model; U.S. Wind & Solar Industries Would Suffer Under Embrace of “French Nuclear Socialism.”SOUTH ROYALTON, VT.  – The so-called “French nuclear miracle” embraced by some U.S. policymakers as a model for this nation is a misconception masking a pattern of fast-rising nuclear reactor construction costs and a “crowding out” of investments in renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro-electric power, according to a new study by Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment….

Vermont Law School – VLS Study: Widely Misunderstood in U.S., the French “Nuclear Miracle” is Plagued by Fast-Rising Reactor Costs and “Crowding Out” of Renewables

September 29, 2010 Posted by | energy, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

Geothermal energy project for Western Australia

Australian Government Funds Geothermal Energy Project : Renewable Energy News, 29 Sept, 10 The Western Australia Sustainable Energy Association (WA SEA) has welcomed an announcement by geothermal proponent Green Rock Energy Limited of the receipt of $7 million in federal funding towards its proposed geothermal test well at WA University’s Crawley Campus. Continue reading

September 29, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, Western Australia | , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Australian government wants to overrule Northern Territory on nuclear waste dump

The Australian government debates the ACT’s Euthanasia bill.  The debate seems to be all about euthanasia. But actually – not so.  This debate is about the rights of the ACT”s democratic government to make its laws –  or whether the Federal government can overrule them.

This looks like a precursor to the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, where the same issue will arise, regarding the Northern Territory.  Perhaps that’s why we can expect that the Australian Government will not weaken on its over-riding of the ACT’s Euthanasia law.

If the y did weaken, well it might set a precedent that would inconvenience the nuclear/uranium lobby

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Christina reviews, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Northern Territory govt opposes Cameco’s planned uranium mine at Alice Springs

uranium mining activities near the springs could potentially contaminate the area’s underground water reservoir.

NT govt declares opposition on planned Cameco uranium site in Alice Springs,  International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas, 28 Sept 10, The Northern Territory government said on Tuesday that it would block any plans of establishing a uranium mine site in the area following revelations that Cameco Corporation is mulling an exploration project on the Angela Pamela deposit near Alice Springs….. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Northern Territory, politics, uranium | , , , , , | 1 Comment

Anti nuclear movement on track to topple German government

the German federal government’s own Advisory Council on the Environment stated that “By 2050, Germany’s energy needs can be supplied 100% through electricity derived from renewable energy sources,”…”the federal government must set the course for the conversion of the energy system now.”

Germany’s Burgeoning Anti-Nuclear Movement Promises to Derail Merkel’s Energy Policy, THE HUFFUNGTON POST, Tina Gerhardt, 28 Sept 10, Merkel’s decision has reignited Germany’s anti-nuclear movement. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | energy, uranium | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

French nuclear company AREVA pushing uranium in Koongarra

it is AREVA that is pushing very hard for access to the rich Koongarra uranium deposit in the Northern Territory….Australia is already at the centre of the new global nuclear debate.

The French Connection | Hybrid Auto Review – Hybrid Cars, 26 Sept 10, The Herald has an article up about the vultures circling prospective Australian uranium mines – in this particular case the French nuclear industry, Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Northern Territory, politics, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Security situation deteriorating in AREVA’s Niger uranium mines

the security situation in the Arlit region — where Areva runs uranium mines and where the five French nationals, a Togolese and a Madagascan were kidnapped by Al-Qaeda linked militants — was deteriorating.

Hostage crisis: French nuclear boss heads to Niger, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 28 Sept 10, PARIS — The chairwoman of French state-owned nuclear giant Areva is to visit the firm’s operation in Niger, the company said Monday, after Al-Qaeda militants kidnapped several of her employees there.” Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

French uranium workers in danger in Niger

Areva said it had stepped up security around its sites in Niger, where some 2,500 people are employed, including around 50 French citizens, in the operation of two huge uranium mines.

France sees second attack on energy workers in West Africa,  Oil & Gas Journal, Sep 27, 2010 By Eric Watkins,“……………The attack on the Bourbon Alexandre came just 6 days after members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization captured five French nationals in Niger’s uranium fields. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , , | Leave a comment

Australia’s political leaders “timid” on energy debate

Greenpeace International executive director Gerd Leipold told The Australian that he was surprised at the timidity of debate in Australia about energy supply, which has seen Liberal and Labor leaders support a renewed focus on nuclear power

Enthusiasm For Nuclear Power Cooling | Hybrid Auto News –  September 27th, 2010 “………If nuclear energy supplied 75 per cent of the world’s electricity, it would result in only a 25 per cent reduction in harmful carbon emissions, the global head of Greenpeace has warned. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, General News, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stuxner computer worm targeted Iran’s uranium enrichment plant

the worm that has infected Iranian nuclear computers was meant to sabotage the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz

‘Computer virus in Iran actually targeted larger nuclear facility’.  Haaretz Daily Newspaper By Yossi Melman, 28 Sept 10,New analysis, based on the characteristic behavior of the Stuxnet worm, contradicts earlier assessments that the target was the nuclear reactor at Bushehr. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | uranium | , , | Leave a comment

Slowdown in BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam expansion plans

BHP May Consider Phased Olympic Dam Mine Expansion, Review Says   By Jacob Greber Sept. 28 (Bloomberg) — BHP Billiton Ltd. told analysts it’s considering a revised expansion of its Olympic Dam copper- uranium mine in South Australia, the Australian Financial Review said. The company is considering a phased expansion, resulting in a slower increase in production than originally anticipated, the newspaper reported, without saying where it got the information. BHP May Consider Phased Olympic Dam Mine Expansion, Review Says – BusinessWeek

September 28, 2010 Posted by | business, South Australia, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warning on radiation hazard of Whyalla rare earths processing

“there are hazards related to the processing of these rare earths, not the least of which is radiation.”.

Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SA – International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas | September 27, 2010 Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SAThe Australian Greens party voiced out its concerns on Monday that the South Australian government may be rushing too much on the proposed rare earths processing plant in Whyalla following the state’s move of giving major project status to the planned $1 billion rare earths facility by Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU).  Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | rare earths, South Australia, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

Wobbly Word of the Week – “Rare Earths”

Yes – Rare Earths – What are they?  The title sounds innocuous, and there’s no doubt that some “rare earths” are essential to many of today’s technology items.

It’s just that we should not lose sight of the radiation problems involved in mining and processing rare earths, nor let them slip under the radar as pro-uranium governments, like South Australia’s , promote the nuclear fuel cycle

Well, take the Arafura project below – this project includes a (small) commercial quantity of uranium product, and a large volume of thorium waste, enriched to ten times the radioactivity of the ore.

Many other rare earth projects won’t produce any commercial uranium or thorium, but will still have radioactive tailings.

September 25, 2010 Posted by | South Australia, spinbuster, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment