Ziggy Switkowski’s nuclear plan would cost $225 billion or more
This could cost about $225 billion in today’s money, or close to half a trillion dollars for 50 reactors……….
Nuclear economics just don’t add up Sydney Morning Herald MICHAEL R. JAMES December 24, 2009 -“……. it was inevitable that the federal Opposition would revisit nuclear power as an option for a low-carbon future in Australia. Given the recent sobering Government report on carbon capture and storage, “clean coal” seems less and less as the likely saviour………… Continue reading
Nuclear power declining, not reviving, in USA
Throughout the US, while the corporate media hypes a “renaissance” of new nukes, facts on the ground say the opposite is happening
A Quiet but HUGE No Nukes Triumph By Harvey Wasserman 24 Dec 09
In the wake of Copenhagen, an unheralded but hard-fought No Nukes victory has moved us closer to a green-powered Earth.
It has happened in upstate New York, Continue reading
Ziggy Spinowski still spruiking “clean” “green” nuclear power
Christina Macpherson 18 Dec 09 Why does the media continue to give such a platform to the narrow views of a nuclear physicist obviously spruiking for his business? Is it because of some mindset that sees “hard” science (nuke physics, geology etc) as somewhow “real” scince, as compared to the “soft” sciences like ecology, environmental science, climatology?
It wouldn’t be so bad if Ziggy Switkowski showed that he had a clue about the ecological effects of radiation from uranium tailings, or the discharge of hot water into marine environments. He obviously doesn’t. Nor does he show any understanding even of the problems that will shut down nuclear plants as extreme weather events occur, and as sea levels rise.
But perhaps most of all, Ziggy Switkowski is right out of his depth on economics – as predictions of nuclear’s likely costs show not just the exorbitant construction costs, but also the running costs. As quoted today (by Tessa de Ryck) “a 2007 report that nuclear power will likely cost over $7,000 per kilowatt, Moody’s Investor Services is now taking an even more cautious view towards investment in nuclear power,”
A clean and green way to fuel the nation THE AUSTRALIAN , Ziggy Switkowski, 18 Dec 09 “………Cost. Nuclear energy has the highest capital cost, up to $4 billion to 6bn for our first 1000MWe reactor, but low running costs largely independent of the cost of uranium itself………………….
Aborigines get tainted land back, but no compensation for cancers
Just as the Maralinga army veterans find no justice from the Australian government, in their fight for compensation for radiation-induced illness, so those surviving aborigines affected by the atomic tests still go unrecognised.
In the true tradition of British and Australian governments, it is hoped that they will just all die out and be forgotten.
It sounds fine for SA’s Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jay Weatherill to claim that this land handover is the” final chapter of a 50-year struggle for justice.” But it’s not – those victims of nuclear radiation are still there, and so are their children. The veterans are taking their case to Britain, particularly on behalf of their children and grandchildren. Why should the aboriginal victims continue to be ignored, in the pretense that their health was not affected? Continue reading
US troops face continued depleted uranium danger
Army Again Turns to Depleted Uranium for New Weaponry Wired By David Hambling December 15, 2009 “………….Now, the U.S. Army is upgrading to a new 120mm Advanced Kinetic Energy round, and about the only thing we know for sure is that it will be made of DU. The generation after that… may be an improved version of DU called Stakalloy…………. It should also be mentioned that the idea of tungsten being introduced as a “clean” alternative to “dirty” DU took something of a knock when it was found that military-grade tungsten alloy is highly carcinogenic in rats.
Indigenous peoples at Copenhagen say NO to nuclear
Indigenous Peoples in Copenhagen: Ruling out the Nuclear Option — Neither Clean nor Green Nuclear Reaction 15 Dec 09 COPENHAGEN — Remembering the words of Chief Seattle, Indigenous Peoples and people of color at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen sent a message to the world to rule out nuclear energy, which is neither clean nor green. Continue reading
Watch award winning online doco on depleted uranium
The Doctor, the Depleted Uranium, and the Dying Children Top Documentary Films 15 Dec 09 An award winning documentary film produced for German television by Freider Wagner and Valentin Thurn. Continue reading
Tim Flannery: – ‘Australia will never need nuclear power
Tim Flannery on ABC Radio National Breakfast 3 Dec 09
Fran Kelly: Does Australia need nuclear power in your view?
Flannery: No it doesn’t and it never will. There’s no way we’ll ever need nuclear power in this country. That’s just another delaying tactic I’m afraid……
Nuclear power to be Australian election issue
Let the voters decide on nuclear power – Rudd Trading Room December 09 2009, 06:29AM
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has ruled out a change to the government’s stance on nuclear power, but suggested advocates of the industry support the coalition at the next election.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called for the contribution of nuclear power stations towards efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, when questioned on the matter during a community cabinet meeting in Townsville, Mr Rudd was unequivocal in his opposition to the establishment of nuclear reactors on Australian soil.
“Mr Abbott recently said that the other side of politics is open to nuclear reactors around Australia,” he told the forum.
“Let the people decide when we come to the next election. Our position is clear … we have a position against nuclear power.”
Mr Rudd said Australia had already had a strong range of renewable and traditional energy sources at its disposal and said the government was focusing its efforts in developing clean coal technology.
He also said there were “unresolved questions” about nuclear power. http://www.tradingroom.com.au/apps/view_breaking_news_article.ac?page=/data/news_research/published/2009/12/343/catf_091209_062900_8605.html
Review: Climate confusion, AREVA, UK nuke wastes ..
Review: Australia:Tony Abbott waffles, Liberals in Climate Change Denial, but want nuclear power in order to combat climate change – but no carbon price or tax – Work all that out if you can! Government still won’t re-instate Racial Discrimination Act -( because it still plans nuke waste dump on aboriginal land ?). The terrorist who planned attack on Lucas Heights nuke reactor now out of gaol, (but banned from Australia). Small starts on solar energy in WA and ACT.
International. French nuclear company AREVA in financial trouble – pinning its hopes on international sales of reactors. UK govt ignores its own experts’ advice on nuclear wastes.Pro-nukers try to overturn Wisconsin law. French reactors with cooling problems. Anti-nuclear movement in Armenia. Depleted uranium. Iraqi govt officials suspect depleted uranium as cause of rising child cancers. – the week that has been
Rudd govt promised to repeal Radioactive Waste Management Act
Nuclear is cleanest power source- senator ABC Alice Springs By Aislin O’Connor and Kirsty Nancarrow 4 Dec 09 -…….. an anti-nuclear group in Alice Springs says this week’s change in the Liberal Party leadership makes it even more likely that a nuclear waste facility will be forced on the Territory.
The Beyond Nuclear Initiative has reiterated its calls for the Federal Government to fulfil its 2007 election promise to repeal the Radioactive Waste Management Act.The group’s Natalie Wasley says it is a year since a Senate Committee recommended the laws forcing a nuclear waste facility on the Territory be overturned.”
And this comes amidst an increased push by the Liberal Party to develop and expand the nuclear industry in Australia,” she said.”So we believe that if the nuclear waste dump in the Territory goes ahead, there’ll be increasing pressure on those same communities to host an international high-level nuclear waste dump some time in the future.”
ABC Alice Springs – Nuclear is cleanest power source: senator
Religious faith: nuclear is CLEAN, CHEAP, and waste NO PROBLEM
Nuclear is CLEANEST power source – Senator ABC News 4 Dec 09 By Aislin O’Connor and Kirsty Nancarrow
The Country Liberal Party’s Nigel Scullion has praised the new federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, for opening the nuclear discussion. Continue reading
Coalition ignores nuclear problems: water, cost, dangers
Thirsty energy
ABC News 4 Dec 09 Scott Ludlam says there are issues with where the nuclear power plants would be sited. Continue reading
Nuclear industry enriches Liberal heavyweights
Open Your eyes News 3 Dec 09 “……..Ed – By an amazing coincidence any expansion of Australia’s fledgling nuclear industry would greatly enrich the handful of the already richest people in Australia who own the sector, including Fairfax media group and former national Treasurer of the Liberal Party, Ron Walker
Shareholders protesting BHP’s uranium mining
BHP chief takes on shareholder activists ABC Radio PM Annie Guest reported this story on November 26, 2009
The protestors outside and shareholder activists inside raised concerns about uranium mining and storage……..PROTESTOR: Mr Argus… that would be millions of tonnes of radioactive waste… Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 