BHP, Rio Tinto, Paladin want uranium sales to Russia, and no mining tax
The Australian Uranium Association says one of the first tests of Labor’s continuing support for the industry will be whether it goes ahead with uranium sales to Russia,…..also sought reassurances from the new Gillard government that her proposed 30 percent tax on iron ore and coal mines will not be extended to the uranium industry.
Australia uranium industry concerned over new govt Sep 9, 2010 SYDNEY, Sept 9 (Reuters) by Mark Bendeich Continue reading
U.S. Nuclear Agency’s grisly tests on monkeys
The experiments, conducted for the US Defense Nuclear Agency…….
Monkeys blown up in grisly tests, Northern Territory News, BEN LANGFORD, September 10th, 2010 INPEX is relying on experiments where monkeys, dogs, sheep and ducks were suspended in water and blown up by explosives to test the effects of marine blasting. Continue reading
Nuclear socialism – a bad economic choice
Unlike computers, solar panels, wind turbines and most other high tech projects, nuclear power plants and projects don’t go down in price over time. Instead, the costs escalate
(USA) Time to End Nuclear Socialism, Says New Study, Greentech Media, 10 Sept 10, A nuclear plant will cost $7,000 to $10,000 per kilowatt, says Mark Cooper of the University of Vermont. That’s more than wind, solar, storage and other renewables—and the price tag will continue to climb. It shouldn’t be called the French Nuclear Miracle, says Mark Cooper. It’s more like a recurring nightmare. Continue reading
Russia’s nuclear secrecy as it pushes for nuclear sales
From uranium to nuclear fuel to reactor design, building and operation, Russia wants a big slice of the nuclear ‘renaissance ’. Talk of nuclear accidents at reactors with incompetent management and under-trained staff doesn’t look good to potential investors.
What happened at Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant? | Greenpeace International, by jmckeati – September 9, 2010 , “…..On July 22, it appears that one of the reactors at the plant may have come close a Chernobyl-style disaster……..official details from the authorities are few and sketchy. The story that is slowly leaking out however, via Bellona, is one of a highly dangerous mix of incompetence, arrogance, cover-up and propaganda. Continue reading
Poor economic outlook adds to opposition to Angela Pamela uranium mine
Arid Lands Environment Centre, Jess Abrahams, 9 Sept 10, On the eve of the Federal election in Alice Springs, incumbent local member Warren Snowdon made an announcement that if they were re-elected, Labor would fund a study into the threat to Alice Springs’s groundwater supplies from a uranium mine at Angela Pamela.India’s Nuclear Liability Bill gives fright to nuclear industry world-wide
The industry in the US too seems to have been taken aback by the Civil Liability for the Nuclear Damages Bill, 2010, the way it was passed by Parliament. The bill in the present form makes suppliers of raw materials and equipment potentially liable for damages till 80 years after the construction of a nuclear plant.
Nuclear liability bill: US looks to ‘changes’; BJP cries foul – The Times of India, NEW DELHI: 8 Sept 10, Even before the collective sigh of relief in the government over safe passage to the nuclear liability bill in Parliament could end, the US on Tuesday queered the pitch yet again by stating that it was already looking at “changes” in the bill. Continue reading
Pakistan in danger of becoming world’s first failed nuclear state
the specter of the world’s first failed nuclear state, coupled with the nightmare scenario of younger Islamist officers pushing the three stars aside and taking over in the name of Islam, was no longer idle cocktail chatter.
World’s first failed nuclear state?. “friday-lunch-club”:De Borchgrave:, September 8, 2010 “…Pakistan is reeling under the most devastating national catastrophe since independence 63 years ago. Continue reading
Opposition in Europe to Germany’s plan to prolong aging nuclear reactors
Rudi Anschober, environment minister for the state of Upper Austria, which borders Bavaria, also warned that the Austrian Federal Government was preparing to attack Germany’s plan.
Nuclear extension sparks Austrian meltdown — The Local. 7 Sept 10, Germany’s plan to extend the lives of its nuclear reactors has upset neighbouring Austria, where an environmental official has warned that a reactor near the border poses clear “safety risks.” Continue reading
Secret research into dead nuclear test veterans
The UK Government is battling a High Court compensation bid by 1,000 veterans and widows for health problems.
The Ministry of Defense insists almost none was exposed to dangerous levels of radiation and the high rates of cancer, death and birth defects are a coincidence.
Nuke test veterans health files to be probed after they die, mirror.co.uk, By Susie Boniface 5/09/2010 Scientists keep tabs in secret A nuclear test veteran has discovered the Government has ordered secret research into his health – after he dies. 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’s future economy – non nuclear, non uranium – theme for September
It’s time for Australia to see through the nuclear hype, and move towards 21st Century industries that have a real future.
Australia’s ‘resources boom’ cannot last indefinitely, and already threatens this country with an imbalance of industries. Australia needs to foster its more permanent industries – they will still be there when the mining quarries are emptied.
Mineral exports are at present a large contributor to the Australian economy, but there is no reliance on uranium, which is only a modest contributor.
Australia pioneered renewable energy technologies, and could lead again in these industries.
Meanwhile uranium mining and nuclear waste are negatives for Australia’s tourism industry, Australia’s agriculture, and our precious fresh water and groundwater.
It’s time to promote Australia as a clever, forward-looking society, and to see through the lobbying of desperate corporations and their propaganda for the ailing, aging, out-dated nuclear industry.
Energy efficiency and renewable technologies can combine beautifully with Australia’s needs to conserve water, promote agriculture, and to adapt to climate change, which is already happening in Australia.
For example – drought areas offer the potential for solar farms. Australia’s hot weather makes decentralised solar power a very economic option for homes, farms, schools, small and large businesses
Western Australia’s shonky “independent” panel on uranium mining regulations
Sitting on the panel are pro-nuclear lobbyists and behind the scenes are corporate sponsors including some that are anything but independent. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are two of the sponsors − companies with operating uranium mines in Australia and uranium interests in WA.
Dodgy Dealings continue in the Uranium Industry, hi spirits: by Mia Pepper, September 02, 2010, This week the Barnett Government announced that the Australian Centre for Geomechanics has won a tender to form an ‘independent panel on uranium mining regulations’. Continue reading
South Australan Liberals can’t decide on uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
The Greens are trying to legislate to ban mining in the outback wilderness sanctuary.
Liberals defer decision on Arkaroola mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Sep 1, 2010 The South Australian Liberal Party has deferred a decision on whether to support a ban on mining at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges.
The Greens are trying to legislate to ban mining in the outback wilderness sanctuary.
A Liberal Party conference at Port Lincoln has discussed the issue, but Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond says a decision is yet to be made because some party members who were not present may want to have a say…….
Liberals defer decision on Arkaroola mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
As ‘nuclear renaissance’ founders, nuke company moves to wind energy
Exelon’s actions often foreshadow where the energy industry is headed…..the momentum for the much-touted nuclear renaissance has slowed to a crawl
(USA) What Exelon’s Wind Energy Buy Means For the Future of Nuclear Power, BNET, By Kirsten Korosec | September 1, 2010 Exelon (EXC) announced this week it was buying John Deere Renewables for as much as $900 million, a purchase that marks the company’s entrance into the wind generation business and suggests its lack of confidence in a nuclear energy renaissance. Continue reading
Compulsory acquistion of Aboriginal land; gas now, uranium later?
“What I say to the Premier is be very careful about setting precedents like this, they can do more damage that you can ever imagine. I think compulsorily acquisition is, in a sense, another act of colonialism, it’s another theft of our land, it’s another invasion. It should never ever be contemplated at a political level….
Compulsory acquisition ‘theft’ of land, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 2 Sept 10 Indigenous academic Mick Dodson has delivered a warning to the WA Premier, describing compulsory acquisition of land for the Kimberley gas hub as theft and an invasion. Continue reading
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