Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Here comes the sun – decentralised solar energy bill passed in USA

(USA) Here comes the sun, Beyond Nuclear 24 July 2010, The Senate Energy Committee yesterday approved Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) 10 million solar roofs bill (S. 3460). This bill would provide tax credits and other incentives to encourage people to install solar power on 10 million rooftops across the U.S. It would ramp up mass production of solar panels and thus likely reduce their cost. It’s an easy bill to support. Here is an article that describes the bill.

July 24, 2010 Posted by | energy, solar | , , , , | Leave a comment

USA’s 10 Million Solar Rooftops Act

a homeowner who decides to install a 5-kilowatt solar system which, depending on location, would produce enough electricity to cover most, if not all, of an average electric bill (the solar panels would produce excess power during the day that can be sold back to the utility, covering some or all of the cost of electricity when the sun is not shining).

Here Comes the Sun: Ten Million Solar Rooftops, Renewable Energy World, by Greg Chafee July 21, 2010 Continue reading

July 24, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, solar | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Greens MP Mark Parnell will continue fight against uranium mining in Arkaroola

Greens MLC Mark Parnell’s proposal to declare the wilderness sanctuary off-limits for miners.

Arkaroola mining debate delayed, The Independent Weekly, SUZIE KEEN24 Jul, 2010 A parliamentary showdown over mining at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges will be delayed until September. Continue reading

July 24, 2010 Posted by | politics, South Australia, uranium | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Radioactive legacy of Western Australia’s uranium mining

Australian Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert has used the site to highlight the dangers of uranium mining.
“As the Australian Uranium Summit kicks off, it is crucial that West Australians get the full story,” Ms Siewert said. “Uranium mining and nuclear power is not clean, it is not safe and it is not cheap.”

High radiation levels ‘more than hundred times’ safe level at Wiluna mine | Perth Now, Narelle Towie, , July 21, 2010 RADIATION levels more than 100 times normal background readings have been recorded at an old uranium site, despite the area being “cleaned” a decade ago. Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | environment, uranium, Western Australia | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cutting down on cancer risks from medical radiation

.Radiation is a known carcinogen. Therefore, before exposing a person to this amount of radiation, the pros and cons of performing a CT scan must be carefully considered……

Dr. Murray Feingold: Weighing in on radiation controversy – Chillicothenews, 20 July 2010, Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

Victoria: large scale solar plant and feed-in tariff

There is no doubt this initiative will mean that many local and international solar developers will remain in the country, and that Australia will have the opportunity of ranking among the leading developers of large-scale solar in the world…..

CLIMATE SPECTATOR: Brumby’s solar hit…Giles Parkinson,  Business Spectator, 22 Jul 2010 Victorian Premier John Brumby certainly didn’t miss with the timing of the state’s large-scale solar power plant initiative…..announcing a 5 per cent large-scale solar energy target, supported by the country’s first large-scale feed in tariff.…. Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, solar, Victoria | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Australia’s Greens tell it like it is on Uranium, Nuclear Industry

“Recently we have been hearing a lot about ‘surging uranium prices’ and a ‘global nuclear renaissance’ but you only need to chart uranium miners’ share prices and the world uranium price to see the reality is strangely at odds with the hype,” Senator Ludlam said……..”Worldwide, the global civil nuclear industry is in serious trouble and nuclear weapons disarmament negotiations are suppressing world uranium prices.


Greens step up anti-uranium mining campaign, 21st July 2010, Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will deliver a straightforward message to uranium miners and investors at the Australian Uranium Summit in Fremantle today

“The industry remains unsafe, unwanted and uneconomic. Pursuing investments in this least sustainable of industries will end in tears,” Senator Ludlam said. Continue reading

July 21, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bob Brown will back Labor or Liberal Climate Bills

Asked if he would block a climate change package without a price on carbon, Senator Brown said: “Goodness, no. We’re advocating renewable energy. “We’re advocating energy efficiency and we’ll negotiate. “We’re in there for better outcomes. But it will be remiss of both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott if they don’t get a carbon price.”

Brown promises climate backing,  Sid Maher, Patricia Karvelas  The Australian  July 21, 2010

BOB Brown .. said he would pass climate bills from both parties even if they had no price on carbon.

The Greens leader, campaigning in Adelaide yesterday, also intensified his attack on the mining industry, saying his party wanted uranium mining at the South Australian behemoth Roxby Downs stopped. Continue reading

July 21, 2010 Posted by | energy, solar, wind | , , , , , | Leave a comment

European Union looking to over 1 million renewable energy jobs

The biggest growth is anticipated to come from job creation in the consumer and small business sectors as homeowners focus on green lifestyles in order to enhance home energy efficiency, health, comfort and sustainability.

Green Jobs and Renewable Energy, ECOINSTITUTION,  July 20, 2010 by davidhoward Renewable energy industry has proven its potential to create jobs. Under current policies, the European Union could create sizeable number of jobs: 950,000 direct and indirect full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and increase to 1.4 million in the next decade. Continue reading

July 21, 2010 Posted by | energy, solar, wind | , , , , , | Leave a comment

International plea to save Arkaroola wilderness from uranium mining

the region could take centuries to recover from any mining…..

Arkaroola wilderness bid for UN recognition, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 20 July 2010, A bid has been made for Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary to be given United Nations recognition as an international geopark.

The sanctuary operators have been fighting to protect the Arkaroola area of the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia from mining. Continue reading

July 21, 2010 Posted by | environment, South Australia, uranium | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Detailed report on Europe’s Renewable Energy Policy

The report provides trends and information on renewable energy policies in Europe and analyzes some of the driving forces for the renewable energy sector

Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010, GlobalData ReportStore,  Jul-2010

GlobalData’s new report “Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010” provides an in-depth analysis of the renewable policy initiatives in the European Union (EU) and the key countries in terms of strength of policy implementation. Continue reading

July 21, 2010 Posted by | energy, solar, water | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Australia: the electoral power of Climate Change activism

on July 12 Tony Abbott said the Opposition had “no plans to promote nuclear power”. This is a watershed.Politicians now fear the electorate’s environmental commitment, and its preparedness to punish lax environmentalism.So let’s use our electoral power.

Watershed for voting power – inMyCommunity – Perth, Western Australia, David Freeman , 20 July 2010, Continue reading

July 20, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, General News | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Climate and Energy Policy IS Water Policy

energy efficiency and many forms of renewable energy–such as wind power and solar photovoltaics–use little or no water.

These key messages delivered and explained in new report, Protecting the Lifeline of the West: How Climate and Clean Energy Policies Can Safeguard Water,

(USA) In the West, Climate and Energy Policy Is Water Policy, Dan Grossm and Bart Miller, 19 July 2010, “………………scientists are concluding that the extended droughts of the past may become the norm of the future. So what should we do about this bleak situation? If we are serious about avoiding the biggest looming crisis of meeting the water needs of the West, we have to understand the energy-water connection and advance clean energy solutions. Continue reading

July 20, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, solar, water, wind | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Still time to stop Muckaty nuclear waste dump

Country Liberals Senator Nigel Scullion says it is not too late to reconsider the most appropriate location for the waste dump.

Crossin rules out change to nuke dump stance – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Eleni Roussos  Jul 19, 2010 Northern Territory Labor Senator Trish Crossin says her party’s decision to build a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory will not change if it is returned to government. Continue reading

July 20, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, uranium, wastes | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

$953 million spent to promote nuclear power as “climate solution”

there is real danger that the nuclear industry will continue to promote itself as a ‘silver-bullet’ solution to climate change

Nuclear Energy Steals Billions from Other Technologies « Stephen Leahy, International Environmental Journalist, 20 July 2010, “……..This lavish lobbying effort by the energy and nuclear power sector has been ongoing since the mid-1990s, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a U.S. NGO and now totals at least 953 million dollars. Continue reading

July 20, 2010 Posted by | climate change - global warming, energy, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment