Secrecy as Australia does uranium deal with Russia
Australia opening new uranium markets to a country with the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and largest stockpile of weapons-usable material, much of it inadequately secured………..the secrecy surrounding a deal that is done on the sidelines of the G20 rather than in the proper light of Australian public scrutiny.
New Risks from Australia Russia Uranium Deal – On Line Opinion – By James Norman 19/11/2010 Late last week on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in South Korea, Prime Minister Julia Gillard ratified a deal with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that should send shockwaves through the Australian electorate. Continue reading
Push in US Congress to sell nuclear power to Australia
The deal would allow for the United States to export nuclear technology, material and equipment to Australia for atomic power generation
Legislation Would Protect U.S.-Australia Atomic Trade Deal, NTI: Global Security Newswire , Nov. 18, 2010 Recently introduced U.S. legislation would ensure that a civilian nuclear trade agreement with Australia would still enter into force even if its time runs out in Congress, Continue reading
Renewed call against Martin Ferguson’s nuclear waste dump plan for Aboriginal land
“It is a long way from Northcote and Preston to Muckaty but today’s message to Minister Ferguson is simple: this issue is not out of sight and not out of mind and many people in this region do not support or accept this plan to push a radioactive waste dump on an unwilling community,”…Minister Ferguson’s dump plan is irresponsible, divisive and out of step with both international best practice and local community opinion.
Not in our name: locals say no to Minister’s dump plan , 18 Nov 10, Local community members will today join with representatives of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) to deliver thousands of petitions calling on federal member Martin Ferguson to dump his plan for a controversial radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Continue reading
Port Hope residents urged to sue govt over radioactive wastes
Atomic Energy Canada Ltd. has begun a 10-year, $260-million project to dig up 1.2 million cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste buried in numerous sites around town and store it in a huge covered mound.
Sue government over toxic town, activist tells Port Hope – thestar.com, 17 Nov 10 “…………. Radium is leaking into Lake Ontario and uranium from the Cameco refineryPort Hope’s air, drinking water, fish, beach, soil — virtually everything in the town of 16,000 poses a health risk from radioactivity, anti-nuclear activist Dr. Helen Caldicott warned an overflow crowd Tuesday night. Continue reading
USA needs combination of smart grid and renewable energy
Research and development is needed to prepare the electric grid for the coming onslaught of new solar and wind power, in much the way farmers must prepare the ground before sowing a crop, (image below from Repower America)
(USA) Report: Electric Grid R&D Must Parallel Expansion of Renewable Power, NYTimes.com, By JENNY MANDEL November 16, 2010 The Energy Department should expand its research on energy storage, long-distance electricity transmission and short-term weather forecasting in order to support the growing use of renewable energy, the American Physical Society says in a report released today. Continue reading
BHP shareholder opposes dangerous expansion of Olympic Dam uranium mine
The production of radioactive tailings waste is projected to increase from 10million tonnes each year to 68million tonnes. The tailings dams now rise more than 20m above the landscape and cover many square kilometres. BHP Billiton intends these tailings piles to increase to 60m high and to cover up to 44sqkm.
BHP Billiton’s uranium quest has too many risksJohn Poppins, Canberra Times, Nov 15, 2010 Thousands of ordinary Australians, including my own family have benefited from BHP Billiton’s mining success. However, like increasing numbers of BHP Billiton shareholders, we are troubled by the long-term effects of some aspects of its mining projects. Continue reading
Aborigines, unions voice anger at BHP Billiton’s uranium mining plans
“The WA mining industry, and BHP in particular, has a poor worker safety record and uranium mining poses even greater health risks as uranium mine workers are exposed to radiation from the ore itself and from the inhalation of radon gas,”
Anger at BHP’s Yeelirrie uranium project Perth Now Russell Quinn & Rebecca Lawson, November 16, 2010 BHP Billiton has met with opposition from traditional owners over the development of the proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine at its annual general meeting in Perth today. Continue reading
UK nuclear workers’ organs removed for secret tests
scientists had long been concerned about workers’ exposure to radiation, essentially from plutonium. The analysis required a complex procedure in which organs were rendered to ash in a furnace and then dissolved in acid.
Families Shocked To Find UK Nuclear Workers’ Organs Were Removed For Secret Tests Peacefmonline.com, 17-Nov-2010 THE families of nuclear workers in the UK whose hearts, lungs and other organs were secretly tested for radiation for almost 40 years were let down by the authorities. Continue reading
Uranium company chairperson spruiks nuclear power to solve Australia’s water problems
Here’s a lovely bit of spin – from Erica Smyth, of Toro Energy uranium company, at Toro’s AGM yesterday. Of course, she’s on the board of ANSTO – Australia’s nuke-spruiking agency. and a member of Julia Gillard’s mining tax advisory panel.
Erica spruiks nuclear energy as a solution to Australia’s water shortage! Hers is a complicated story about combining nuclear energy with desalination plants.
She also advocates nuclear power for electric cars – well, we knew that particular spin was coming! But nuclear power to provide fresh water for Australia – that is indeed a new and wonderful spin. (And, let’s not forget – the uranium/nuclear industry is the most water-intensive, water guzzling, of all industries. – Christina Macpherson
The other side of BHP Billiton’s Annual Report
Threatening lives, the environment, and peoples’ future – An Alternative Annual Report on BHP Billiton 2009-2010 In this 25 page report, case studies question BHP’s record on human rights, transparency, and ecological justice.
“………..This report examines a number of BHP Billiton’s operations around the world. The collection of case studies highlights the disparity between BHP Billiton’s ‘Sustainability Framework’ and the reality of its operations.In the year 2009-2010 BHP Billiton has continued itsinvolvement in many controversial mines, is advancing riskyand unwanted projects….. Continue reading
50 years later, Rum Jungle uranium mine site still radioactive
Recreation reserve closed due to radiation, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Louisa Rebgetz Nov 12, 2010 A Northern Territory recreational reserve where a uranium mine once operated has been closed due to low-level radiation in the area. The Rum Jungle Mine, about 100 kilometres south of Darwin, operated in the early 1960s.The area was rehabilitated in 1991 before becoming the Rum Jungle South Recreation Reserve.The Department of Resources says tests at the waste rock pile at the reserve have detected low-level radiation……Recreation reserve closed due to radiation – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
BHP Billiton under fire over radioactive waste dumping
BHP boss faces a grilling, Sydney Morning Herald, Mathew MurphyNovember 15, 2010 BHP Billiton boss Marius Kloppers will come under pressure from shareholders at tomorrow’s annual meeting…… Continue reading
Australian govt doing publicity spin as it hands Woomera over to uranium miners
Woomera-Land of the Dispossessed-Open for Mining Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, November 12, 2010 Government announces Review of Woomera Prohibited Area .http://www.defence.gov.au/woomerareview/
!. Remove Aboriginal People – 40s-50s.
2. Bomb the crap out of the joint.
3. Do a “clean up” sufficient for the mining industry\
4. Do a PR exersize prior to handing to area to miners.
5. Hand the area to miners.Throughout all this step 1 remains in force over the larger Prohibited Area.
We are at step 4
“Today Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson released the Interim Report of the Government Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area.
Public Comment on the Interim Report is welcome. Please send any comments to woomera.reviewteam@defence.gov.au by 3 December 2010………nuclearhistory « Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog
Australian uranium sales to Russia, a backward step for peace and global safety
The Australian Greens have condemned the Federal Government for striking a deal to sell uranium to Russia’s power industry.Greens nuclear issues spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the deal announced today was environmentally irresponsible and a drastic step backwards for nuclear disarmament.
“Russia has a nuclear energy sector known for low safety and environmental standards, the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, is a key part of the Iranian nuclear programme and has not been visited by IAEA inspectors since 2001,” he said. “The case against selling uranium to Russia is undeniable.” Continue reading
Australia’s uranium to Russia, country with worst safety record!
“The move will see Australia supplying uranium to a country with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, and the largest stockpile of weapons-usable material, much of it inadequately secured,” said ICAN Chair Associate Professor Tilman Ruff. Continue reading
1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 