Uranium mining’s damage to Niger
“You can’t just fight against nuclear power plants and waste repositories,” he said. “If you want to kill the tree, kill the roots”. He was referring to the uranium mines.
Uranium Mining in Niger ‘Tuareg Activist Takes on French Nuclear Company’ The Blogger: 2 April 2010, “……..A total of 80,000 people live in the two cities Areva created in the desert to service the mines. There are no paved roads, but there is plenty of reddish-brown dust, which penetrates into every crack and pore. Well water is radioactively contaminated, and precious fossil groundwater is used in the uranium ore processing plant. The region’s nomads are finding fewer and fewer pastures for their cattle, and people are affected by fatal illnesses. Continue reading
“Peaceful Nuclear Power” – it’s an oxymoron
Harmonious relationships between people and nations cannot survive in a nuclear power society, with its atmosphere of secrecy, surveillance , suspicion, fear, and ever-present real danger.
Australia needed for that two-faced nuclear security summit
On the one hand – yes, it’s a good idea to promote the world’s security from nuclear terrorism and nuclear weapons.
On the other hand, the summit is also aimed at promoting the nuclear industry by a global cartel – the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, to which Australia is signed up.
Australia could very well end up endorsing a system whereby Australia’s uranium is “leased” – i.e it comes back to Australia in the form of nuclear wastes.
$Million salaries for nuclear power industry executives
Salary Survey: Nuclear Exec Earns $3 Million, Energy Section, Amy Harder, April 2, 2010 The nuclear power industry may be stagnant, but the sector’s top trade group is banking on turning that around — and as one sign, it’s giving its top executive a hefty salary.
The uranium mining industry makes it easier for terrorists
An IAEA database counts scores of thefts, losses and other incidents involving nuclear materials each year.
Uranium-mining nations flout UN on nuclear terror Norwalk News 03/31/2010 By CHARLES J. HANLEYAP NEW YORK (AP) — Years after a six-month deadline passed, dozens of nations, including uranium producers, remain potential weak links in the global defense against nuclear terrorism, ignoring a U.N. mandate on laws and controls to foil this ultimate threat. Continue reading
Long term radioactivity, secrecy, problems on proposed Muckaty radioactive waste dump
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has called for the release of all relevant documents held by the NLC on the proposed site at Muckaty Station.
Long term radiation from possible dump needs attention, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) By Alex Johnson 31 March 2010,
The deputy chair of the Senate committee examining the proposed national nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek says the management of long-term radiation needs more attention. Continue reading
Protestors at Senater Inquiry into National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
critics said Labor merely rebadged the coalition’s policy
Protesters ejected from Senate nuclear inquiryAAP * March 30, 2010 PROTESTERS have been ejected from a Senate inquiry hearing on a nuclear waste dump to be built in the heart of Australia.A Senate committee is examining the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
With the bill, Labor kept an election promise to repeal coalition legislation to build a dump, and put in place a new process.But critics said Labor merely rebadged the coalition’s policy because finding a new site for the dump was too difficult, and they have attacked the consultation process……………
Mr Sweeney, who will give evidence at the hearing today, said security guards peacefully removed the protesters from the room.
The protesters were not associated with ACF.
The government is considering Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, for the dump site, after it was nominated by some of its traditional owners.
Protesters ejected from Senate nuclear inquiry | News.com.au
Obama soon to announce the USA’s Nuclear Posture Review
Nuclear Madness Month at the White House, The Atlantic, Mar 31 2010, Next week kicks off nuclear madness month at the White House — or, as one senior administration official resignedly describes it, “all nukes, all the time.” By mid-May, the world ought to know whether President Obama is really a deterrencer in a dove’s clothing. Continue reading
Western Australian Labor Party remains opposed to uranium mining
Labor remains opposed to uranium mining , ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 29 March 2010, The Western Australian State Opposition insists it is united in its opposition to uranium mining.Labor’s spokeswoman for the environment Sally Talbot took part in an anti-uranium protest in Kalgoorlie over the weekend……..
Dr Talbot says the party is opposed to the emerging industry.
“Everybody’s entitled to their own opinions but the Labor Party has a policy that is absolutely crystal clear – we’re opposed to uranium mining.”
“In government we will not support uranium mining. If we had won the last election we would not be contemplating opening up uranium mines in Western Australia.”
Labor remains opposed to uranium mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Review: Nuke waste, “nukes for peace”, Climate Change, Iran
Review: Australia. A critical time for Australia – Senate Inquiry into Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan, but local community excluded from attendance. W.A plan to use Oakajee port for uranium shipments. Alarming report from CSIRO – Climate Change well underway in Australia. “Climate Sceptics” influence grows.
International: U.S. safety worries with aging nuclear reactors,while France’s cost-cutting threatening safety of new reactors. Nuclear power being promoted as part of nuclear non proliferation! Iran building more nukes? – Israel threatening action on Iran. Continuing legal and financial battles for U.S. nuclear industry. A political move to thwart California’s renewable energy industries. – the week that has been
Fires at 3 U.S. nuclear plants illustrate safety risks
Fires break out at three U.S. nuclear plants over the weekend, FACING SOUTH, By Sue Sturgis , March 29, 2010 Emergencies were declared at two Progress Energy nuclear power plants in the Carolinas over the weekend due to fires. There was also a fire at a nuclear power plant in Ohio on Sunday that sent two firefighters to the hospital. The blazes were put out and disaster averted, but the incidents underscore concerns about U.S. nuclear plants’ failure to comply with fire safety regulations…… Continue reading
Longterm Victims of Three Mile Island Nuclear Meltdown
To this day the families of those harmed by radiation at Three Mile Island have been denied the right to make their case in federal court.
The Legacy of Three Mile Island: It Could Happen Again At Any Time HARVEY WASSERMAN, BUZZFLASH, 27 March 2010, As radiation poured from 3 Mile Island 31 years ago this weekend, utility executives rested easy. They knew that no matter how many people their errant nuke killed, and no matter how much property it destroyed, they would not be held liable. Today this same class of executives demands untold taxpayer billions to build still more TMIs. No matter how many meltdowns they cause, and how much havoc they visit down on the public, they still believe they’re above the law. Continue reading
Union opposing Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan
ETU slams nuclear waste dump plan ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Mar 27, 2010 The Electrical Trades Union is seeking to ban its members from contributing to the proposed nuclear waste dump in Central Australia. Continue reading
France’s nuclear reactors cutting costs and safety
Revelations from an EDF insider Réseau “Sortir du nucléaire” French Nuclear Phaseout Network, 6 March 2010, : EPR reactor prone to major nuclear accident risk! The French Network for Nuclear Phase-out (Réseau “Sortir du nucléaire”) reveals confidential documents disclosed by an anonymous insider from EDF (Electricité de France, the main French power utility). These documents show that the design of the EPR presents a serious risk of a major nuclear accident – a risk deliberately taken by EDF to increase its profitability. Because it is potentially vulnerable to a situation which could have uncontrollable consequences, the EPR reactor is extremely dangerous.
Australia’s contribution to nuclear war
Australians complacently think that big corporations, like BHP Billiton, and ERA, and others, can keep on digging up and selling off uranium, for “peaceful purposes”, without Australia playing any part in the dirty radioactive waste problem, or the even dirtier nuclear weapons proliferation. – our theme for April 2010 – NUCLEAR POWER and PEACE
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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