Governments shut people up about nuclear veterans
More than 20,000 servicemen witnessed hundreds of atom tests in Australia, US and South Pacific in the Fifties and Sixties – now 3,000 survivors say they are riddled with cancers.
(UK) The Ministry of Defence wants to gag MPs over scandal of Britain’s nuclear test veterans mirror.co.uk, By Susie Boniface 1/08/2010, The MoD wants to gag MPs over the scandal of Britain’s nuclear test veterans. Continue reading
Nuclear power an election issue in Australia
“A key example concerns the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010. This proposed law would override the Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and all state/territory legislation. It would also curtail procedural fairness and appeal rights.
The Government’s draft legislation is directly at odds with Labor policy
Dr Bill Williams, and Dr Jim Green 31 July 2010, www.choosenuclearfree.net “This federal election campaign has been short of policy detail so far – “Our analysis reveals a long list of broken promises by the Labor government. Continue reading
French nuclear firm EDF in debt as USA project failing
“The U.S. provision is bad news,”……. Results were also hurt by “poor availability” of nuclear reactors in France and the U.K….EDF has expanded in Europe, China and the U.S., driving up debt
EDF Net Income Tumbles 47% After Outlook Dims for Nuclear Project in U.S. – Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Jul 30, 2010 Electricite de France SA, Europe’s biggest power generator, reported a 47 percent drop in first- half profit on a charge linked to the development of a nuclear reactor in the U.S. and the outlook for low power prices there. Continue reading
AUSTRALIAN ELECTION and the NUCLEAR INDUSTRY – our theme for August 2010
Australia faces an election on August 21. The major political parties are united in one policy – that is –keeping quiet about nuclear power. And Julia Gillard – Labor, and Tony Abbott – Liberal-Coalition, have got plenty to shut up about.
Both Labor and Liberal are beholden to their corporate masters. In the case of Labor, this was shown in a dramatic way, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard kow towed over the planned Super Profit Resources tax. And, with the new, tamed, Resources Rent Tax – uranium mining is exempt even from that one.
The Liberal Coalition used to be blatantly in favour of a nuclear Australia. Now, with the election looming, only a few of their maverick MPs will state this out loud.
Under the radar, the powerful and well-funded nuclear lobby is working away at both parties – for uranium/nuclear policies to be revealed after the election is safely over.
Australian doctors explain medical radiation
Fact sheet: Nuclear medicine, Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) July 2010. 29/07/2010 This MAPW fact sheet describes how nuclear medicine is used for diagnosis and radiotherapy treatment. It explains what is NOT nuclear medicine (eg x-rays and CT scans).
It summarises the dangers of ionising radiation. It debunks two myths: that Australia needs a nuclear reactor to produce radioisotopes (materials for nuclear medicine); and that we need a radioactive waste dump for its waste.
NASA scientist refuses to do radiation experiments on monkeys
Since leaving her position at NASA, Evans has devoted much of her time to building support for an international treaty that would ban primate experiments for the purpose of space exploration.
Local NASA engineer resigns over monkey experiments | This isn’t rocket science April Evans’ dream – working for NASA – came true, but she couldn’t condone its radiation experiments on monkeys, By ERIC BERGER. HOUSTON CHRONICLE. July 29, 2010, “…..her career remained ascendant until she learned of the space agency’s plan to irradiate monkeys as part of a $1.75 million experiment…. Continue reading
Uranium company’s share price and profits plummet
ERA first-half profit plunges 82pc ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 30 july 2010, Darwin Energy Resources of Australia has announced an 82 per cent plunge in its first-half profit.The company has blamed the slump on a fall in the price of uranium oxide and poor grades of ore at its Northern Territory mine.ERA’s net profit for the six months to the end of June fell to $22.7 million from $127.6 million for the same period last year.In the early afternoon, its shares had slipped more than 4 per cent to $13.71.
ERA first-half profit plunges 82pc – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
USA govt put soldiers at risk from depleted uranium
DU is a dense metal added to munitions and bombs to pierce tanks and armor, and the military seems to chose unrestricted use of the radioactive substance over its soldiers’ safety.
(USA) Document Reveals Military Was Concerned About Gulf War Vets’ Exposure To Depleted Uranium, CounterCurrents.org, By Mike Ludwig29 July, 2010 For years, the government has denied that depleted uranium (DU), a radioactive toxic waste left over from nuclear fission and added to munitions used in the Persian Gulf and Iraq wars, poisoned Iraqi civilians and veterans. Continue reading
Alice Springs’ tourism under threat from uranium mining
the town’s attraction as a wilderness destination is under threat.……you don’t find too many mining towns that actually have a thriving tourism industry.”.
Tour operators discuss uranium concerns, ABC News By Kirsty Nancarrow Jul 29, 2010 “… tourism operators have attended a meeting in Alice Springs to discuss concerns about future uranium mining in the region. Continue reading
Federal and South Australian govts won’t help Maralinga veterans!
Premier Mike Rann has said veterans and Aboriginal people affected by the testing deserved compensation from the British government….There have been genetic abnormalities and high levels of cancer among those who witnessed the atomic tests and their offspring.
State refuses to fund Maralinga court battle Pia Akerman The Australian * July 29, 2010THE Rann government in South Australia has refused to meet with representatives of Aboriginal people affected by British nuclear tests. Continue reading
U.S. company gives up plan to import nuclear wastes
The application to import the waste and dispose it in Utah was opposed by two Utah governors. The U.S. House also passed a bill banning the importation of low-level radioactive waste.
(USA) Utah firm withdraws nuke waste import application The Daily Caller – 07/26/2010 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Continue reading
Australian election: antinuclear Dr Emma Young a candidate for Darwin
Most Territorians believe the nuclear waste dump proposed for Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the safe Labor seat of Lingiari, is being unfairly thrust upon the NT.
Greens targeting Darwin seat, Sydney Morning Herald, LARINE STATHAM , 28 July 2010, Environmental woes and disillusion with the major parties could see the Australian Greens score an upset in the marginal Northern Territory seat of Solomon in the coming election. Continue reading
Nuclear power will saddle taxpayers with endless costs
The last generation of nuclear plants left taxpayers on the hook for more than $300 billion in bailouts and rate hikes following ‘mishaps.’ All signs indicate that the new class of reactors will be just as problematic
(USA) Solar Is A Bargain Deal Compared To Nuclear, Change.org, by Ben Buchwalter July 28, 2010 Proponents of nuclear energy rely on three key reasons our country should develop new nuclear reactors rather than invest in cleaner solar power. One: They claim nuclear is cheaper than alternatives. Two: They say it is more efficient. Three: They say it relies on existing technology. Continue reading
Alice Springs – solar energy centre
These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator [pictured] and solar thermal technologies.
CPV in Australia’s Red Centre A town called Alice: How CPV is springing up in Australia. Renewable Energy World, by Brian Elmer July 27, 2010 London — Located in the arid desert region in the heart of Australia, the small town of Alice Springs, with a population of 28,000 is normally best known as the jump off point for one of Australia’s best known natural icons, Uluru…….. Over the last few years though, Alice Springs has been attracting attention for another reason, its development of world-leading expertise in its use of one of the region’s other natural and abundant resources – solar energy.
Indeed, the central Australian region receives more sunlight than any other region in Australia, with over 7 kWh/m2/day of incident radiation, Continue reading
In USA solar powered electricity now cheaper than nuclear
Having dropped below nuclear power, solar power is now one of the least expensive energy sources in America.
Study: Solar power is cheaper than nuclear | The Energy Collective, July 27, 2010 by OshaDavidson The Holy Grail of the solar industry — reaching grid parity — may no longer be a distant dream. Solar may have already reached that point, at least when compared to nuclear power, according to a new study by two researchers at Duke University. Continue reading
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