Uranium mining’s uncertain future in Australia
Toro Energy fell 4.8 per cent to 10c, Energy Resources of Australia lost 1.7 per cent to $14.26 and Paladin dipped 2.6 per cent to $3.81 “
Mining stocks wobble on uncertainty over minerals tax | The Australian, Andrew Burrell, Andrew Main, Matt Chambers 9 Sept 10, “……Amid uncertainty over the government’s proposed minerals tax, uranium stocks were hardest hit Continue reading
Australia’s uranium exports down 24%
$44b resource exports ‘second highest on record’ – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 9 Sept 10, “……./The largest falls were in: thermal coal (for power stations), down 34 per cent to $11.9 billion; metallurgical coal (for steelmaking), down 33 per cent to $24.5 billion; refined petroleum products, down 28 per cent to $564 million; and uranium oxide, down 24 per cent to $751 million.
Australia’s grand opportunity for renewable energy
The Greens, of course, received by far the biggest swing of any party at this election and, at almost 4%, a very sizable swing on any definition. That swing was achieved on the back of having put to the electorate by far the most ambitious plans for renewable energy of any political party ever in Australian history. Our policies included an explicit commitment to 100% renewable energy, a comprehensive feed-in tariff for all forms of renewable energy at all scales, loan guarantees for industrial-scale baseload renewable energy power plants, an increased renewable energy target, pre-planning processes to create renewable energy parks, a national roll-out of the smart grid and much more. That platform now has a key bargaining position in the new parliament, with a Greens member of the House of Representatives supporting the minority Labor government and 9 Senators holding the balance of power upstairs as of July next year……..
The best opportunity for renewables we may ever get, Rooted, September 8, 2010 – by Tim Hollo Now that we finally know who is going to govern our country; now that we know who is backing whom and why; now that we’ve breathed a collective sign of relief; now – right now – :…… renewables renewables renewables. Continue reading
Labor election victory in Australia because of climate change issues?
Labor stance sways independents, The Age, September 8, 2010 TONY Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have nominated climate-change policies as a key part of their decision to back a Labor government.Mr Windsor said it was time Australia ”stood back and revisited” the climate change and renewable energy debate in the wake of the rejection and subsequent shelving of Labor’s emissions trading scheme.Mr Windsor said country Australia could see great advantages from renewable energy and other climate-change policies. Mr Oakeshott also indicated emissions trading was part of his decision.Labor stance sways independents
Australia’s”ethical” investments not always ethical when it comes to uranium
what about uranium mining?…. many consider uranium mining to be one of the most unethical activities of all.
A world of opportunities, Sydney Morning Herald, David Potts. September 6, 2010 -Ethical investment is a moral minefield …..there’s a fine line between what’s ethical and what’s mainstream. Continue reading
Labor victory in Australia – renewable energy a key issue
“Regional Australia will benefit not only from harvesting clean energy and carbon farming but also from avoiding the worst impacts of climate change if Australia can help build global ambition for action.”
Renewable energy key to Independents’ support for Labor — EcoGeneration , Tue, 7 September 2010 Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor both cited climate change and renewable energy sources as key issues in their decision to support the Australian Labor Party.Prime Minister Julia Gillard will now lead the Labor Party in forming a minority government Continue reading
Climate Change the spur for green movement in Australia, UK, Germany
“There are growing numbers of young people reading and accepting the science of climate change.”- Adam Bandt, Greens MP
Green Party Assumes Pivotal Role in New Australian Government | SolveClimate.com, 7 Sept 10, Like the UK and Germany, a surge in popularity has given the environmental movement an unprecedented parliamentary presence in Australia this year, prompting suggestions that electorates are punishing mainstream parties for failing to act decisively on climate change. Continue reading
With a carbon price, investment opportunities for renewables
Dollars help the planet
…It has to be clean, green and keen for veteran fund manger Laurence Freedman — who these days runs his charitable Freedman Foundation — to put his money into it…
A world of opportunities, Sydney Morning Herald, David Potts, September 6, 2010 – “……both sides support the renewable energy target for 2020. Continue reading
Australia waits for political action on energy future
Like many Australians, I am fed up with this ridiculous election. As I write, we all wait for the three Independents to decide on which political party will form government today.
At least, the Independents have surprised us in areas such as support for renewable energy, and climate change action.
With the success of the Greens in the election, some hope for action appears –
perhaps not until July 2011, when the nine Greens will take their places in the Senate.
One wonders how much harm the nuclear/fossil fuel lobby can achieve through their servant parties, before July 2011
Renewable energy investment surging in China
“The sector has strong growth potential given that the Chinese government policy is clearly supportive,“……with the needs for energy security and energy demand from countries like China, the move to renewables is unstoppable, and you’re increasingly seeing renewable energy companies that are good value,”
China Goes Green, Keeps Bankers and Investors Busy – WSJ.com. By NISHA GOPALAN, 6 Sept 10, Propelled in part by the backing of powerful Beijing bureaucrats, green-themed Chinese companies are set to reap billions of dollars from public offerings to new investors in coming months…. Continue reading
Carbon price essential for Australia, say 19 Energy Retailors
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News, 6 Sept 10, The Clean Energy Council has released an open letter signed by nineteen of Australia’s major energy retailers – the letter also reminds us these companies are major employers and supporters of renewable energy projects in regional Australia – which says that a carbon price is essential to meeting our emissions reduction target of 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020……
“We welcome and congratulate the role the independents are taking in ensuring climate change policy remains on the radar of the major political parties,” Mr Warren said. “Renewable energy is also great for rural and regional Australia – it will create growth, greater economic diversity and help drought-proof farms and regions.”The open letter can be viewed here (PDF)
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News
Queensland’s economic development groups want ‘clean energy corridor’
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, one of the kingmaker Independents deciding who will form government, has put high on his priority list securing support for a ‘clean energy corridor’ of climate-friendly solar, wind and other zero-emission power plants between Townsville and Mount Isa.
North Queensland considers gas plants vs clean energy link for Mt Isa region * Kerrie Sinclair The Courier-Mail September 06, 2010 THE power play in Canberra may also determine the future of power generation in Queensland’s northwest. Continue reading
Australian capital going to overseas low carbon industries
great a risk of capital leakage – money moving offshore for low-carbon exposure, the money that will go to china, Europe or south America where governments are setting policies in place…....Not that it got a heck of a lot of media traction. That was afforded only to miners warning of the perils of a mining tax,
Australia’s capital leak, Business Spectator, Giles Parkinson, 6 Sep 2010, Climate Spectator As various industry groups marshal their forces to try and add momentum to the push for a carbon price, institutional investors are also mobilising to ensure that their members are not excluded from the opportunities of a low-carbon economy. Continue reading
Prominent South Australian Liberals oppose uranium mining in Arkaroola
Several prominent Liberals strongly oppose mining in the Arkaroola area, including Senator Nick Minchin, former environment spokesperson Michelle Lensink and shadow treasurer Ian Evans.
Libs deadlocked on Arkaroola, The Independent Weekly, HENDRIK GOUT, 04 Sep 2010 The Liberal Party is has been unable to decide whether to support mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness. Continue reading
Australia should follow the successes in Europe with a carbon tax
It is to be hoped the discussion will soon turn from the rather nebulous concept of a carbon price to actual mechanisms – and for that the most appropriate tool is a carbon tax.
No need to be afraid of a tax on carbon, Sydney Morning Herald, Fiona Armstrong, September 4, 2010 – The most significant policy issue in the deal struck between the Australian Greens and the Australian Labor Party was that of climate policy. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
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