Why Rudd will put a radioactive waste dump in the Northern Territory
a few prominent white suits (living well away from the NT) could indeed see this as the beginning of a bonanza of taking in the rest of the world’sradioactive wastes.
Once again – it’s all simple politics. The Australian government is obligated to take back , within a year or so, radioactive wastes from UK – wastes that originated in Australia’s terrorist target – the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.
There is no simple solution. Perhaps this relatively small nuclear waste dump could be situated at Lucas Heights, where it started, or perhaps it could join the existing radioactive waste at Woomera in South Australia. Then Lucas Heights could be closed, and that would be the end of it.
No such simple story, however, and in fact, no story at all, as it’s all decided very quietly – let the Australian public sleep on!
But – it must be the Northern Territory – they’re the only ones who cannot defy the federal government, – all the other States have the power to veto taking in nuclear wastes.
Anyway,a few aborigines could indeed see it as a good deal, getting a living standard equal to the rest of Australia perhaps – though the rest of us didn’t need to have our land turned into a radioactive waste in order to get that standard.
More to the point, a few prominent white suits (living well away from the NT) could indeed see this as the beginning of a bonanza of taking in the rest of the world’s radioactive wastes.
Nuclear power rebirth in USA? Not likely
Obama’s Nuclear Option – Amy Goodman Truthdig 16 Feb 2010
“……….Obama’s publicly financed resuscitation of the nuclear power industry in the U.S. is bound to fail, another taxpayer bailout waiting to happen.Opponents of the plan, which includes a tripling of existing nuclear plant construction-loan guarantees to $54.5 billion, span the ideological spectrum. Continue reading
Price-Anderson Act makes taxpayer liable for nuclear power risks
The Price-Anderson bill is the one that caps the nuclear industry’s liability and makes us (that’d be you) liable for the rest
(USA) Excuse Me, But That Nuclear Plant Has Its Hand On Your Wallet, San Francisco Chronicle : Gerald Sindell 18 Feb 2010 “……..if you dig out your handy guide to the laws of the United States you’ll find something called the Price-Anderson Act, a temporary measure passed in 1957 to help the nuclear industry get going. Atoms for Peace and all that. Continue reading
Areva getting out of an Australian uranium project
WA stock values fall in January WA Business News Finance: 17-February-
Berkeley Resources announced it had terminated its head of agreements signed in March 2006 with French nuclear power group Areva NC. In doing so, any rights previously granted to Areva for off-take or marketing of uranium production from Berkeley’s projects have been terminated with immediate effect,….
Obama’s big financial risk with nuclear power
The government backing of the Georgia project is a major financial gamble, but the White House seems to see it as worth the risk politically…….The case the administration has made is that they will give Republicans more nuclear power, offshore oil and gas drilling, and incentives for coal, if they will accept a cap on carbon emissions and investments in renewable energy.
Obama’s risky nuclear renaissance The Guardian, Kate Sheppard 17 February 2010 Barack Obama’s promise to fund new nuclear power plants is a major financial gamble – and US taxpayers will foot the bill Continue reading
Uranium price outlook not too good
FNArena News –
By Rudi Filapek-VandyckFebruary 16 2010Investors and uranium market enthusiasts may want to pay attention as two stockbrokers in Australia used last week’s somewhat disappointing results release by Paladin Energy (PDN) to reiterate their negative view both for uranium companies and for the short term outlook for spot U3O8 prices. Continue readingGermany’s Environment Minister will shut down nuclear reactors
Environment minister stands firm on nuclear power plant closure Deutsche Welle | 15.02.2010
Germany’s environment minister has thrown his weight behind shutting down the country’s nuclear reactors. Continue reading
Business Charter calls for Financially Risky Nuclear Business
David Noonan said high set-up costs made nuclear an unviable energy source for SA.
Business SA calls for “bold and brave” reforms in its Charter For A Prosperous South Australia | Adelaide Now Daniel Wills February 16, 2010
“……The charter challenges political leaders to adopt reforms including:…….PURSUING development of a nuclear energy industry to “take advantage” of the state’s enormous uranium stores….. Continue reading
Nuclear power too financially risky
Nuclear power, strike 2 MNN – Mother Nature Network Karl Burkart 16 Feb 2010 Even Wall Street won’t touch nuclear because it is too financially risky. At least 1 out of 2 nuclear plants will fail, leaving taxpayers with the burden of debt. Continue reading
800 Peaceful Protestors block UK nuclear site
(UK) 800 peaceful protestors block gates to Aldermaston nuclear site | Ekklesia 15 Feb 2010
Around 800 nonviolent protesters have succeeded in blocking access to the majority of gates at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire. Faith groups are playing a major role in the protests, which began at 7.00am this morning. Continue reading
Maralinga nuclear tests and the environment
areas of fused or ‘glazed’ sand are still contaminated with levels of plutonium which are of a high and dangerous level
The impact of nuclear testing on the Australian environment | Blog About All 16 Feb 2010 “………..As well as the tests at Monte Belle islands, between 1952 and 1963 the British government, with the agreement and support of Australia, carried out ‘major’ tests at two other sites on the Australian mainland at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia. Continue reading
Bill Gates believes Nuclear Power problems will be solved
Gates outlined his belief that if you can deal with the radiation and safety issues – ““We need energy miracles,” Gates said
Bill Gates Goes Nuclear BusinessWeek by: Helen Walters February 15….. Continue reading
Australia’s Maralinga Nuclear Veterans dying out, while they wait for justice
Nuclear veterans want better compo deal Sydney Morning Herald MAX BLENKIN 11 Feb 2010
Britain exploded seven atomic bombs in the South Australian outback in 1956-57 but continued the nuclear test program through to May 1963 with a large number of minor trials of items such as nuclear initiators. Continue reading
What a Damn Yankee Nuclear Nuisance!
(USA) Just as the nuclear idustry pushes for massive public money, for extending the life of its aging reactors and setting up new ones, along comes a pesky little bit of democracy!
Alone in the nuclear power world, the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant actually has to rely on the State Legislature to say yea or nay to extended its miserable radioactively leaking life. (Other U.S. States don’t have this “luxury” of controlling their ancient or new nuclear reactors.)
Oh dear, this leaky old ship could bring about the sinking of the whole nuclear power fleet in America. (Meanwhile government-run nuclear industries – France, China – etc – they don’t have this pesky problem of being financially or in any other way, accountable to the people.)
Vermont Yankee – just one of many aging, leaking nuclear power plants
Indeed, a desperate national industry now pushing for massive federal subsidies to build new reactors may not survive a flood of elderly clunkers being forced to close by the weight of their own contamination….
Vermont’s radioactive nightmare FDL The Seminal Harvey Wasserman
February 10, 2010
Like a decayed flotilla of rickety steamers, at least 27 of America’s 104 aging atomic reactors are known to be leaking radioactive tritium, which is linked to cancer if inhaled or ingested through the throat or skin. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 