Can nuclear giant AREVA be trusted with solar energy industry?
There are two ways of looking at the French nuclear company AREVA taking over an Australian solar company.
1. Areva’s resources, financial and expert, can bring the necessary push to really make this solar industry happen. And, with the financial mess that is developing in AREVA’s nuclear industry, this solar move could herald a very positive transition away from nuclear, and to renewables.
2. In Australia, we have a sad history of fossil fuel interests buying up solar industry initiatives precisely for the purpose of killing them off. AREVA has just joined forces with its powerful Korean nuclear competitor, KEPCO. Can corporations like Areva be trusted to really develop renewable technologies – or are they out to suppress them so as to promote their nuclear power empire?
I would like to think that Areva is truly diversifying, and promoting renewable energy technologies. I bear in mind the work of people like Ralph Nader, who has always been willing to talk with polluting corporations, and work for improvements.
Nevertheless, the fear remains.
Areva ‘hedging’ its bets, with renewable energy push
this acquisition of Ausra is a good sign of where the market is heading. Given that the nuclear renaissance simply isn’t materializing as expected, it’s wise for Areva and other big energy conglomerates to hedge their bets.
Areva gets deeper into renewables with Ausra purchase the energy collective, by Tyler Hamilton, 02/08/2010 France’s Areva SA is known mostly as a designer of light-water nuclear reactors, builder of transmission and distribution systems, and a miner of uranium, Continue reading
BHP reduces Yeelirrie’s proposed uranium by an ‘uneconomic’ third
BHP cuts Yeelirrie uranium estimate Matt Chambers : The Australian February 09, BHP Billiton has cut projections for its proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine in Western Australia by nearly a third, ruling out a heap acid leach component at the site as uneconomic. Continue reading
Uranium prices to go down further
Investors take a stick to disappointing resources companies, Robin Bromby,The Australian, February 08,
“……….Uranium in surplusDEUTSCHE Bank has put a “sell” recommendation on Paladin Energy (PDN) with a target price of $3.30, against Friday’s close at $3.52. The bank’s analysts are predicting a uranium market surplus of 4500 tonnes by 2011.
……….. Deutsche believes uranium prices will be hit this year due to production growth in Kazakhstan, increasing US Department of Energy spot sales, and permit delays to nuclear reactor plans in the West.
W.A’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy doesn’t want public inquiry on uranium mining
Chamber snubs uranium inquiry call ABC News February 4, 2010 The Chamber of Minerals and Energy has rejected the call for a public inquiry into proposed uranium projects in Western Australia.The Government yesterday upheld a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority to use an environmental and management review program to assess Toro Energy’s uranium project near Wiluna.
The Conservation Council of Western Australia wants a public inquiry, the highest level of assessment, and says it should be applied to all proposed uranium projects.
Chamber snubs uranium inquiry call – ABC North West WA – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
2010 not looking good for uranium prices
Australia blocks shipments to Iran, on nuclear fear
(Of course, Australia sends uranium to China and Russia, where it might well end up in nuclear weapons – C.M. )
Rudd confirms Iran shipments blocked ABC News 4 Feb 2010 Continue reading
Confronting racism and environmental degradation are global issues
Australian corporations, like BHP, exploit labour and resources the world over.
Nationalism and racism Green Left Stuart Munckton 31 January 2010 Celebrating the day that began the British invasion and genocide is a permanent slap in the face for Aboriginal people. Continue reading
Uranium price continues its downward slide
The term uranium market was even quieter, with no new demand…
Uranium Continues Its Retreat ninemsn Money 27/01/2010 By Andrew Nelson With only a handful of deals reported last week, the uranium spot price continued its new year retreat. Industry consultant TradeTech’s U3O8 Spot Price Indicator showed a decline of US$1.25/lb to US$42.50/lb over the course of last week……………. Continue reading
Nothing stops Australian uranium exports ending up in nuclear weapons
A credible safeguards regime for Australian uranium exports depends on having a credible safeguards agency. Sadly, the federal government’s Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) is anything but.
Nuclear Safeguards and Australian Uranium Export Policy — Friends of the Earth Australia, by Jim Green 25 Jan 2010 There is a long history of nuclear power facilitating nuclear weapons programs …….The larger part of the problem is real or feigned interest in nuclear power providing a rationale for the acquisition of enrichment plants, reprocessing plants and research reactors and a rationale for the development of cadres of nuclear scientists and engineers whose skills can be put to use in weapons programs………… Continue reading
Roxby Downs, Ranger – who’ll clean up, who’ll pay?
Relevant to the proposed BHP Roxby new open pit and to the Ranger expansion – will they leave nothing but waste and cleanup bills (comment from David Noonan)
Call to levy mining firms for green fund KIM MACDONALD, The West Australian January 26, 2010,
Former scientist of the year Jorg Imberger has called for a five per cent levy on mining companies to pay for social and environmental programs, amid revelations only a fifth of export sales money stays in WA. Continue reading
“Australia Day” celebrates shameful land grab
That these horrors began on January 26, 1788 is why many Aboriginal leaders denounce Australia Day as Invasion Day and call for the date of Australia’s national day to be changed to one that can be celebrated by all Australians.
Indigenous Peoples: 222 years of struggle for Australia’s Aboriginals Peter Robson
Green Left Online 17 Jan 2010 “………Colonisation then took the form of taking land. The land grab was justified by the doctrine of Terra Nullius, which said the native people of Australia were simply fauna, not owners of the land that colonists stole. Continue reading
Roxby Downs uranium mine will blow out greenhouse gases
“All of our efforts to reduce emissions, to conserve energy, will be undone by just one company, one project” The Advertiser DAVID NOONAN, 20 Jan 2010
The science of climate change demands action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. BHP Billiton’s proposed new open-pit mine at Roxby Downs would blow out SA’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12 per cent. Continue reading
Review- the nuclear week that has been
Australia: Climate denialists Monckton and Plimer touring Australia (wonder who’s paying for this tour?). Maralinga nuclear veterans must take their case to England. Tony Abbott calls for uranium sales to India, as India builds its nuke weapons arsenal. Australian Super decides that uranium is ethical enough. Point Lowly Action group trying to save iconic Great Australian Cuttlefish. ERA uranium shares and production fall. Govt considers airport scanning amid public ignorance on the issue.
International: Huge global renewable energy summit. France’s nuke industry embroiled in strife. Critical talks about Iran’s nukes. Germany in dilemma over mounting nuclear waste. Future very complicated for USA’s nuke industry. Colorado anti-uranium legal bid moves along. Revelations of Israel’s uranium tests on workers. Doomsday clock – slight improvement. USA – anti-uranium protest. Court action over depleted uranium in Hawaii. Protest against NASA’s radiation testing on squirrel monkeys.
Australian media, Climate Denial, and Pro Nuclear Hype
I used to think that the Australian media publicised fraudulent and anti-scientific opinions just out of a desire to have a controversy, and stir public attention to the media. I now think, alas, that it also has to do with the ignorance about science of not only the public, but also of the journalists.
Australia is now in grave danger of falling for the simplistic views of people who put up good-sounding information about very complex problems, with little regard for the scientific or economic facts.
We can now expect a year of this, with Tony Abbott in the lead position, expert in claimimg “green” credentials, while in fact furthering the interests of powerful fossil fuel and nuclear lobbies.
I would hope that climate-denialist speakers like Lord Monckton, and Ian Plimer will be met byt the media with sceptical srutiny – with those tried and tested old questions; – “Does he really make sense?, and What’s in it for him?
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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