Australia and the world – climate and nuclear news this week

The world has 10 years to ward off global warming disaster.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its 2018 Report on Monday 8th October. By Tuesday, its news was all over the media.  By Wednesday, other news had to some extent taken over. By now, in Australia, we’re back to the important stuff – horse racing and royal weddings.

However, climate change is still important, and indeed, urgent. Experts warn that the IPCC report may be understating the climate situation. And in particular – the risk of catastrophic sea-level rise.

Again, however much the nuclear lobby might not want you to know this, – the dangers of climate change and nuclear power are merging. Hurricane Michael has threatened nuclear power stations in Georgia and Florida. But there’s precious little information on how that is going.

AUSTRALIA

An alt-right, all-male, racist, anti-semitic, pro nuclear group aims to join Liberal-National politics.

CLIMATE.

• Lip service and lies: Coalition’s response to the IPCC report.  Dave Sharma, Liberal candidate for Wentworth byelection, is complacent about Liberals’ non policy on climate change.  Alex Turnbull, son of former Prime Minister denounces the “crazy” climate agenda of the Liberal Party.
•  Australian farmers now turning to acceptance of need to act on climate change.
• Australian business ready to adopt its own emissions reduction scheme.
•  For Australia to take its share in climate action – 12 coal-fired power stations need to close by 2030. AEMO’s Zibelman: Transition out of coal does not mean lights going out.
• Poor countries urge Australia to honour Green Climate Fund commitments.

NUCLEAR. The nuclear lobby now touts SMRs – Small and Medium Nuclear Reactors – deliberate confusion about size.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison resuscitates the nightmare dream of the nuclear chain in Australia.   Nuclear reactors DO have a harmful impact on coastal environments, despite the false claims of the Australian nuclear lobby.  Cory Bernardi promises to explain why nuclear power is a “compelling investment opportunity”

ANSTO still dreams of nuclear power for Asia,and Australia taking back their radioactive trash.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Renewable energy bringing a new golden age to South Australia,   Nation-first renewable energy project recognised.   Australia installs 50th public EV fast charger.  Telstra’s first solar farm up and running as other projects join the grid . Solar Insiders Podcast: Solar’s big year, and Senec storage. New wind farm developments bring jobs to Victoria.

INTERNATIONAL

Rising sea levels will mean flooding of vulnerable cities- e.g: London, Jakarta, Shanghai and Houston.

ExxonMobil CEO Depressed After Realizing Earth Could End Before They Finish Extracting All The Oil.

$2.4 Trillion Fossil Fuel Shift – better than climate apocalypse.

**************************

What the IPCC Report 2018 says about nuclear power.

Cheap flexibility from storage, demand-side response and distributed renewable energy generation poses a “huge threat” to the nuclear industry.

USA-Russia relations at a low ebb: nuclear treaties are under threat.

Genetic changes in children of soldiers who were exposed to ionising radiation.

Vitrified nuclear waste: glass corrodes and melts long before the radioactive trash is inert.

The very bad news about what space travel can do to your gut.

JAPAN. Residents in Miyagi file suit to block burning of radiation-tainted waste from Fukushima nuclear disaster. Fukushima nuclear plant owner apologises for still-radioactive water.  TEPCO bungles it again in dealing with Fukushima tainted water.

SOUTH KOREA. S. Korean activists demand Japan not dump Fukushima’s radioactive water into the sea.

USA. 

•  VA Nuke Plant Suffers Transformer Trip From Hurricane Michael .
• USA’s Nuclear Protection Agency, -sorry, Environment Protection Agency , set to weaken radiation guidelines. “Transparency”- the Trump administration’s dirty trick to strangle access to reputable science on nuclear radiation.  The Leader in the Fight to Stop Yucca Mountain, Heller Demands Information on the Proposed Reclassification of High-Level Radioactive Waste.
• New research raises further concern about radioactive contamination from US arms testing.
• Donald Trump’s priority is profit from weapons sales to Saudi Arabia: murder of Washington Post journalist is irrelevant. Trump administration’s unreasonable tolerance for Saudi Arabia’s war crimes in Yemen.  USA administration salivating about lucrative sale of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia – if only they could get over the proliferation problem.
• USA restricts nuclear technology exports to China.
• MOX nuclear fuel plant in South Carolina “on life support”, following court case.
• How workers inadvertently contributed to Westinghouse nuclear factory’s radiation leak.
• Towns face the end of the nuclear era, and the problems of radioactive trash.

UK. Welsh Labour Government allows Hinkley nuclear station’s mud dumping off Penarth, despite local opposition.    Dumping of Hinkley nuclear station mud closed – for now  Wales should be “sceptical” about nuclear power – Welsh Labour leadership candidate.  Anniversary of UK’s Windscale nuclear accident. Jeremy Corbyn gives a vision of a smarter, cleaner, more secure and equitable future. UK agonising over its nuclear industry future, leaving the Euratom Treaty, because of Brexit.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea is not really making any big nuclear concession. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that North Korea is ready to allow inspection of key nuclear site. Nuclear safety should be the first priority in the Korean Peninsula.

TURKEY. Council of Europe concerned at construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in an earthquake-prone region.

FRANCE. New delay in sight for Flamanville EPR.   France to defend lawsuit over its Pacific nuclear tests- “accepted its nuclear legacy with serenity” (whatever that means!).  Plan to sue France over ‘crimes against humanity’ in nuclear tests in South Pacific. France’s government to postpone the phaseout of nuclear power – to the detriment of the renewable energy industry.

BELGIUM Belgium’s phaseout of nuclear power.

CHINA. Nuclear weapons proliferation risks in China’s push to export nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Dubious claim from Russia, about bacteria “neutralising nuclear waste”.

Advertisements

South Australia radio talkback reveals the opposition to nuclear waste dumping in that State

I am always struck by the fact that opponents of the nuclear industry are very many unpaid people. Just people who care. Some are highly educated academically. Many are not – but then they take the trouble to find out, and speak with the authority of both their local knowledge and wider information.

As for nuclear proponents they’re a small number of paid individuals, with another small number of hangers on who expect financial benefits from the nuclear industry.

Barb Walker shared a post. on  Flinders Local Action Group– more  – https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=flinders%20local%20action%20group

ABC Radio Adelaide Evenings with Peter Goer. Talkback 4 Oct 18. This show was inundated with hundreds of South Australians phoning in and texting about the proposed nuclear waste dump. ALL SAID NO!  Are you listening DIIS and ANSTO !!!??….  IT’S A BIG NO FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA!!! http://www.abc.net.au/…/adelaide/programs/evenings/evenings…

– (This part is the last half hour of a 3 hour program. To hear it you need to slide the button along to last sixth of the program)

Transcript:. Noel Wauchope . Not a perfect transcript, but a good account of what each caller said 

Lots of text messages opposing the dump.  Speakers: Michelle thinks it’s a very risky dangerous thing to do. Many of the community don’t want it. S.A highly regarded for its produce. Transport of wastes is dangerous. It is a wedge. They tried to import nuclear wastes before and they’re trying again. Medical expert has advised that most medical wastes are very short-lived – no distant dump required. Craig from CCSA says longterm solution is needed. Temporary storage at Lucas Heights a better idea than moving it to rural South Aust- avoid need for moving wastes twice – with “interim” storage in SA. Geological problem – movement of soil, active flood plain. Govt timetable is a political one. Our community being bribed. James says the dump is a ludicrous idea. Only 3 landowners nominated their land. Money thrown in – distorts people’s thinking. It’s a foot in the door. Govt has already made up its mind. Greg thinks it’s a ludicrous idea. Idea gone on for 40 years. Previous attempts ended up with legal action. Now legal action on. Need a suitable site – e.g. Commonwealth land – not disrupting a community like Kimba. Not to force it on to remote economically vulnerable community. Katrina – wastes lasting many thousands of years, people are thinking it’s just gloves and gowns etc. Being rushed through. Need expert inquiry into safest waste solution. Instead, govt is selling it to communities – and they keep upping the money. Betty says where do Americans store theirs? Agrees with previous callers. We are harnessing generations of children to maintaining these wastes. USA stores wastes in inaccessible mountains highly guarded [Ed. actually not correct] Peter agrees with the previous speakers. What is this waste to be used for in the future – bombs? Fay not happy -what are we leaving for the next generation? Last S.A. govt Jay Weatherill international dump in favour but it was knocked back . Joanne was on Citizens Jury into nuclear waste dump – over 70 % said NO. There was the huge document – Royal Commission – why is govt not using this document? It is full of lies. USA govt has not found a way to dispose of its wastes. Lucas Heights is now receiving back high level nuclear wastes. Julie the indigenous communities of Kimba and Hawker treated absolutely disgracefully in this process. Paul says it is going to be low level nuclear waste. Why can’t it travel by air (Compere – we haven’t been told this) Mary quoted Albert Einstein – “We are drifting towards a catastrophe beyond comparison…..”. Sandra says 12 yrs ago she was in a caravan North of Tennant Creek – hit by an earthquake. Epicentre was 40km beyond Tennant Creek just where nuclear waste dump had been considered,X-rays done there for that purpose. Brett – we’ve been told a layer cake of lies. People finding that more and more deception is going on. One of the biggest is that it’s medical waste. ANSTO and DIIS stopped telling that lie 3 months ago. Lots of bribery and deception going on. Bureaucrats gone crazy. It’s high level wastes in big containers- guarded by troops in UK. Bob -this whole thing is one great big lie. During Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, a large part of their final report was about so-called low level nuclear wastes dump in Australia, We’re told that we shouldn’t conflate the national dump with an international dump. BUT in aSubmission from Richard Yeeles formerly PR for Roxby Downs, he said Drop all this talk about an international facility . Let’s concentrate on getting a national dump here first and then we’ll go to the international dump afterwards. Richard Yeeles is now chief adviser to the Premier Steven Marshall.   Everyone is hanging out for this vote.People in this State need to understand clearly that the Federal government can override the current legislation in our State. So it’s a national issue about a national dump. Sylvia. Wants to know why S Aust should have the dump. NSW has just as much land, a bigger State..What’s wrong with their ground? Peter Woolford It has divided our community. I put this to Minister Canavan. Both Kimba and Hawker have been impacted greatly. The govt has clearly forgotten this. A lot of money being thrown around. Take the money away – there’s no debate.People are focused on that money. The govt has tripled the money that’s going towards the facility – they’re upping the ante. Minister Canavan it’s up to his discretion where this goes. People need to understand that the Federal govt can override the legislation of this State It should b wider than KImba or Hawker it’s a National matter. Patrick we can find out from Wikileaks. Tim is concerned with the way people are thinking. It’s a political issue. We have been making money from selling uranium around the world, we need to take some responsibility. I wish we’d never started it. Not one call, apart from Tim, from a pro nuclear person. No calls were screened out Here we have heard from some of the many unpaid anti-nukers. Next week, Peter Goers might interview a couple of paid pro nukers ?

Australia and beyond – nuclear news to 29 September

Insightful journalism: Don’t miss this conversation with Dr Gordon Edwards – about Canada’s nuclear wastes

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR 

Jobs for South Australians at nuclear morgue? That is a shaky promise.   Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation to continue legal fight over proposed nuclear waste dump – the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility site selection ballot will not be undertaken until the matter is resolved.

American transnational corporation AECOM would be the biggest beneficiary from a South Australian radioactive suppository.    Lobbyists for nuclear-related firms hold key positions in National Party.

CLIMATE Great Barrier Reef scientists told to focus on projects to make government look good.   Australia has no plan of action on climate change.

Queensland releases new guidelines as another 16 solar proj ects queue to join grid.    Clean energy industry releases Victorian election policies for clean energy future .      Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy comes to the party  on renewable energy jobs, yet commitment to Renewables Target is the real test .

INTERNATIONAL

On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov saved the world.

Debunking the claims about generation IV nuclear waste .  Facing up to the reality of nuclear wastes: it requires longterm continuing stewardship.   What to expect from media and politicians when we want action on nuclear wastes. Magical thinking about nuclear waste – but that doesn’t solve the problem.

Extremely high radiation doses threaten the plan to colonise Mars.

Cardiologists and Other Medical Professionals at risk from radiation in nuclear medicine.

Vatican will continue condemning nuclear weapons.  Nations continue to work on nuclear security.

Consumer society, high energy, lifestyle underlies climate change.  Science reporting on climate change: the severity is downplayed for political reasons.

ANTARCTIC. Antarctic ocean heating up – caused by greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depletion.

NORTH KOREA. Trump-Kim nuclear summit planned – but there is no real progress towards nuclear agreement. North, South Korean Leaders in Fact Proclaimed End of State of War – Seoul.  USA must declare an end to the Korean war – to bring peace to the peninsula.  Scientists study North Korea’s nuclear tests, and the earthquakes.

USA.

•  Solar and wind power back on the day after Hurricane Florida: nuclear and coal not so resilient.
• Following Transatomic’s failure, small modular nuclear reactors face uncertain future.  After getting $millions in investment, Transatomic molten salt nuclear reactor project bites the dust.
• “Protect Texas from Radioactive Waste Tour” on its way to Midland.   The relative hazards of nuclear fuel in reactor cores, spent fuel pools, and dry storage.  Nuclear fuel removed from Oyster Creek plant – to concrete casks.
• Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is now open, but radiation fears remain.
• Congress Passes Measure to Protect Board that Monitors Nuclear Safety. The hidden danger of internal radiation emitters – dust particles around nuclear weapons sites. Fukushima Radiation causing U.S. Insurance Companies to EXCLUDE all Coverage for Radiation Claims.
• The Last Nuclear Power Plant Under Construction in the U.S. Lives to See Another Day.  U.S. Appeals Court upholds New York program to subsidize nuclear plants.
• Kavanaugh Confirmation Fight Has Consequences for Climate Law.

UK. Countering the media’s very unfair attacks on Britain’s Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, over nuclear weapons policy. UK media manipulation of Chris Busby.  The UK just jailed these men for over a year for a peaceful protest! Last time was 1932. Despite huge delays and cost overruns Britain’s nuclear weapons consortium paid itself £70m of dividends.  Protest at Faslane, Scotland, against nuclear weapons. Theresa May: Iran continues to uphold commitment to nuclear pact.

JAPAN. Japan vows to cut its nuclear plutonium hoard but neighbours fear the opposite. Poor region of Japan is now very dependent on Rokkasho nuclear recycling project.  Formal restart approval of tsunami-hit Tokai N°2 nuclear plant near Tokyo.

Fukushima’s stored water still contains radioactive iodine, cesium and strontium, as well as tritium.  London and Tokyo declaration to TEPCO on Fukushima nuclear disaster health effects for 28th September 2018.   39th Human Rights Now  Session: Oral Statement on the Hazardous Working Conditions Faced by Fukushima Cleanup Workers.   Japan’s Environment Ministry forced to change its forecast in order to make the nuclear industry look better.

IRAN. In spite of Donald Trump, Iran is keeping its nuclear commitments.

CANADA. The dishonesty in the bribing of “willing host communities” for nuclear wastes. The next big thing: unfeasible small modular nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Russia and USA will talk about extending New START nuclear weapons treaty.

EUROPE. Suggestions that Europe may develop its own nuclear weapons.

SAUDI ARABIA. USA, Russia, South Korea and China, salivating at thought of huge Saudi Arabia market for nuclear reactors.

OCEANIA. French government group to Mururoa to meet nuclear test veterans.

KENYA. Kenya postpones its nuclear power plans.

ARGENTINA. Argentina’s nuclear power industry in trouble.

FRANCE. AREVA-ORANO corruption scandal – France’s taxpayers could face € 24.1 billion fine. French film documentary – “Nuclear power – the end of a myth“

Nuclear news to 22 September – Australia and beyond

Huge clean-up tasks face areas affected by Super Typhoon Mangkhut and Hurricane Florence. In the many reports of these extreme weather events, climate change is rarely mentioned. Also played down is the effect on the nuclear industry. Thankfully, there seems to have been no big nuclear disaster. But there is little or no coverage of the effects on hazardous radioactive waste dumps.

Investigative journalism: Authorities deceive the public on radiation from Fukushima Daiichi

Sea levels could rise by up to 30 feet, due to Antarctic melting.

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR The Australian govt’s plan to dump Lucas Heights nuclear waste near a small rural community in South Australia is surely the precursor to a plan for importing the world’s nuclear waste. Submissions to stop this nuclear waste “foot in the door” can be sent to the govt by 24th September. It’s not hard to do.

Feasability Study found Radioactive Waste Dump UNSUITABLE for Flinders Ranges and Kimba regions.

Radon gas leaked from Woomera’s radioactive waste drums.

Greenpeace takes legal action against Australian nuclear waste transport to Cherbourg, France.

Changing acceptance of nuclear to DEMAND for nuclear- Australian propagandist Ben Heard to join new global spin?

Defence officials become military lobbyists.

‘Welcome’ to Steve Ciobo, the new Australian Minister for the Arms Trade.

Australia won’t get the nuclear bomb – these are the reasons why not.

CLIMATE.  Labor holds meeting with industry, on emissions reduction, as COAL-ition holds private dinner with coal-nuclear lobbyist Trevor St Baker. Australia’s Minister For The Coal Lobby, Angus Taylor’s false statement about carbon emissions.– Oh dear! Coal-loving Angus Taylor’s electorate wants action on climate change.- Australian financial watchdog hones in on climate risk, warns companies to lift game. Scott Morrison’s lump of coal not enough: he needs a fairy tale on climate change.

Sydney takes global climate fight to the next level

Adani’s Carmichael coal project massively downsized, but still a climate threat. Adani mine site to remain under native title until finance confirmed, Minister says. Traditional owners call on Qld Government to never extinguish their native title: they announce Adani court appeal.12.5b litres of water for Adani coal project – no environmental impact statement needed.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Australian government ‘won’t be replacing’ renewable energy target – Angus Taylor, (Minister For Fossil Fuel Energy). Angus Taylor attacks renewable energy. Clean Energy Regulator counts 9GW in big solar and wind pipeline. Solar takes centre stage in South Australia, becoming No 1 energy source in middle of day .

INTERNATIONAL

U.N. looks forward to more countries signing and ratifying nuclear ban treaty.

Civil and military nuclear industries locked in dependence on each other.

Heavy radiation effect on astronauts to Mars – now can be measured.

The big lie of ionising radiation hormesis.

NORTH and SOUTH  KOREA . Peaceful agreement between North and South Korea – but little of substance on denuclearization.  North Korea is willing to allow outside inspectors to check its closed nuclear weapons test site.

IRAN and ISRAEL. UN is being pressed by Iran and Israel – each wanting action against the other.

JAPAN. Tepco to build finally extra sea wall to reinforce Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.  Fukushima United Nations OHCR report update 18th September 2018 IDP. Japan tries to dilute tritium danger. Massive flow of money into Japanese coal and nuclear power.

CANADA. The second nuclear industry stillbirth – Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). Canada’s Brookfield in talks with Toshiba, about buying British new nuclear init NuGen.

EUROPE. Big companies including Facebook, Google and Microsoft not supporting EU’s plan for more ambitious climate change goals.

USA.

• Trump to address U.N. on nuclear non proliferation (pardon my mirth) $13 billion space military force for USA?
• Trump keen to have Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to speak at UN nuclear meeting.
• USA Democrats’ Bill to ban new low-yield nuclear weapons.
• Effect of Hurricane Florence on nuclear power stations – ruins the Trump administration’s case for supporting nuclear power.  Electricity being restored to Brunswick nuclear power station in North Carolina flooded area. As flooding recedes around Brunswick nuclear power station, NRC considers when it can restart.  Emergency lifted at Brunswick nuclear plant.
• The danger in transporting nuclear wastes to just a “temporary” nuclear morgue.  EnergySolutions wants exemption from Utah law restricting import of depleted uranium.
•  Cost of Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power project is becoming a big worry to law-makers. Vogtle Nuclear Power plant – last hope of the industry, might not be completed: opposition grows. U.S.Cogress seeks funds to compensate communities affected by nuclear power plant shutdowns.
• USA Bill to allow private-public partnerships for new nuclear power technologies.
•  California law to protect workers, community and environment, as Diablo nuclear power plant to close.
• Exploding Michael Shellenberger’s extraordinary sales pitch for nuclear weapons.
• Hanford: Plutonium a risk to humans and environment for thousands of years.
• Renowned Uranium Film Festival 2018 headed for the American SouthWest.
• Radiation oncologists and conflicts of interest.

FRANCE. French nuclear industry in turmoil, – inadequate welds at Flamanville nuclear reactor. The EPR, France and EDF’s nuclear nightmare.

French court orders EDF to release risk analysis about Hinkley nuclear project. It’s not too late to stop it. Financiers desert France’s EPR nuclear power plan for UK’s Hinkley Point C project.

UK.

• UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines: infrastructure supporting it is no longer “fit for purpose”.– UK Government delayed scrapping potentially unsafe nuclear submarines in bid to cut costs.-
• “I’ll fight tooth and nail” to salvage Moorside nuclear power project – says NuGen chief.
• Britain’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority partnering with Japan Atomic Energy Agency.
• Scottish peace campaigners pressing big financial institutions to divest from nuclear weapons.
•  Judge calls for developers to clarify whether Hinkley radioactive mud dumping is covered by an environmental impact assessment (EIA).  UK: Labour parliamentarians raise concerns about Nuclear plant mud dumping. EDF subsidiary NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd argued that Hinkley nuclear station mud dumping near Cardiff did not need an environmental impact assessment.
• Frazer-Nash, engineering consultants, going for new nuclear power in a big way.

INDIA. Community in Madhya Pradesh protest against proposed nuclear plant .

BELGIUM. Engie warns on profit following Belgian nuclear outages. Five Out of 7 Nuclear Reactors in Belgium Halted – National Regulator.

MALAYSIA. A good move – Malaysia rejecting nuclear energy.    Theft of radioactive materials.

CHINA. Typhoon Mangkhut headed straight for 2 Chinese nuclear power stations.

SLOVAKIA. Several nuclear reactors in Slovakia are out of operation.

News media seem rivetted on Hurricane Florence now affecting USA’s Carolina states.  Meanwhile there’s much less coverage of the much greater Typhoon Mangkhut afflicting the Marshall Islands, Guam, and soon the Philippines and Chinese coast.

Hurricane Florence, though now downgraded to Category 1, still threatens at least 9 nuclear waste sites and at least 12 operating nuclear reactors.

The Marshall Islands, already having radioactive leaks, are even more threatened, with the nuclear waste tomb located there.

Crisis of heat across the planet.   Scientists are now establishing the links between climate change and these extreme events.

AUSTRALIA

CLIMATE CHANGE is taking centre stage today, as, Trump-like,  our new Prime Minister Scott Morrison pronounces that we will meet our Paris commitments “in a canter”. Alas, that’s a lie. In reality, Australia is on track to miss Paris climate targets as emissions hit record highs.  Australia is going backwards on climate change. Australia stands to REALLY lose face on climate change at coming international summits.

Senator Matt Canavan ridicules climate health report, days after climate health expert wins Liberal safe seat. 68% of Australians want govt to set genuine emissions targets to meet our Paris climate commitments. Queensland government climate strategy stresses the health impacts. Doctors speak out on climate change.

Adani coal company’s groundwater bores investigated  amid claims they were sunk without approval.

Darebin Council, Victoria leads the way on climate change action.

Australian Communities Foundation Divests $90 Million From Fossil Fuels.

NUCLEAR. Flooding Dangers to proposed Nuclear Morgue in South Australia.    Ship loaded with Australia’s nuclear trash arrives at Cherbourg, France. Nuclear waste returning to Australia is really High Level Waste.  South Australian MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan  on plan to store radioactive trash in rural South Australia.

Tony Abbott – the mad monk, and Ziggy Switkowski are spruiking nuclear power – again!  Senator Cory Bernardi believes in nuclear power, but doesn’t believe in climate change. Anonymous pro nuclear “engineers” lobby Canberra ministers and premiers.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.

• Victoria to support six wind and solar farms after overwhelming response to auction.   Victorian homeowners will be paid nearly $5000 towards the cost of household solar batteries if Labor is re-elected.  Off-grid and solar-based Electric Vehicle charging trial wins Victorian government grant.
• South Australia offers up to $6,000 grants for home battery installations.
• Northern Territory  airports to get three new solar farms and battery storage,
• Transport emissions are soaring – it’s time to shift to electric vehicles. Tesla on track to offer “cheaper” Model 3 to Australian drivers.

Julian Assange‘s future safety hangs in the balance.

INTERNATIONAL

‘Hothouse Earth’ could become irreversible. U.N.Secretary General- world is at a defining moment for action on climate change. Bangkok climate talks a ‘limited’ success. Next international climate meeting in Poland in December.

Nuclear power uneconomic, investments driven by needs of nuclear weapons industry. Now even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports a dim view of nuclear energy’s future.

Radiation the biggest of many hazards to space flight to Mars.

USA.

• Hurricane Florence the biggest challenge yet to North Carolina’s Brunswick nuclear power station. Brunswick Nuclear Power Station’s “Cliff Edge” Barriers Appear To Fall Almost 8 Feet Short Of Required Storm Surge Protection Level. North Carolina nuclear stations- danger of spent nuclear fuel over-heating , in the event of an accident.  Nuclear authorities make reassuring noises about Hurricane Florence, and don’t mention radioactive waste dumps.
•  Wildfire burns at Hanford nuclear reservation.
• More $millions for nuclear weapons in US spending bill. American politicians pushing to have tax-payers fund new nuclear. New sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies, over North Korea nuclear program.  U.S. Navy Conducts Military Exercises in Gulf Amid Iran Tension.
• JEA and the city of Jacksonville sue to get out of Georgia nuclear contract. New Jersey’s nuclear subsidy means a loss to electricity consumers.
•  Exhuming nuclear trash in Idaho. Critics becoming more concerned about safety issues in Texas nuclear waste storage plan.

UK.

• Prof. Chris Busby`s home has been raided by … everyone. European Court of Human Rights finds UK’s bulk surveillance powers to be illegal.
• Under cover of darkness, EDF dumps 2,000 tons of ‘nuclear mud’ near Cardiff. Legal challenge to Hinkley nuclear mud dumping off Cardiff. Hinkley nuclear deal with union – work will continue in the event of a worker death accident.   Hinkley Point C and Sea-Level Rise .
• UK government rejects the call to guarantee funding for Moorside nuclear power project. Cumbria business chief in a stew over possible abandonment of £15bn Moorside nuclear project.  UK’s Moorside nuclear power project now teeters on the edge of collapse. UK consumers could pay for new nuclear power plants years before they are built.
• UK’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is NOT backing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
• From 1948-till now -UK’s Springfield nuclear plant’s radioactive discharge continues into River Ribble UK’s nuclear wastes- the clean-up will be a bonanza for nuclear companies. UK’s House of Lords show complete contempt for even thinking about, or discussing nuclear waste problem.

JAPAN. The Fukushima nuclear crisis: How communities, doctors, media, and government have responded. Informal Labour, Local Citizens and the Tokyo Electric Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Crisis.

FRANCE. France’s aging nuclear reactors. State owned corporation EDF plans to keep them going, despite France’s phaseout policy. French government to scrutinise nuclear costs: current European pressurized reactor (EPR) project not economic. Despite glut of uranium fuel AREVA – now called Orano, to start a huge new uranium conversion plant.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea now emphasising economic development, not nuclear might.

IRAN.  Iran honored its nuclear deal. But Trump’s sanctions could plunge the region into conflict

Nuclear news to 8th September

Japan acknowledges that prolonged exposure to ‘low level’ ionising radiation caused the cancer death of a Fukushima nuclear worker, and compensation will be paid to his family. This is the first time that the Japanese Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry have ruled on a radiation-caused death.

This will no doubt upset the nuclear lobby, who like to say that only high level radiation is harmful. It’s like the tobacco companies suggesting that only smoking 100 cigarettes a day would cause lung cancer – a few a day would be harmless, or actually good for you.

In fact, worker deaths from low level radiation have been reported many times, notably in the USA research by McClatchy News, which recorded 33,480.

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR.  Injunction to halt Kimba nuclear waste ballot remains in place.  Wallerberdina needs similar injunction.

Walkatjurra anti-uranium Walkabout completed.

CLIMATE. Australian government out to wreck international climate talks. Very reluctantly, Australian govt signs declaration on Pacific climate threat.   Australia’s two-faced attitude to Pacific Islands on climate change. Australia losing credibility, reputation, in the Pacific, as it follows Trump’s anti-climate policies.

Australia could cut electricity emissions by 68 per cent by 2030.  On climate change

---

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Energy Minister Angus Taylor pretend to be meeting Paris climate goals.   Australia’s new Energy Minister Angus Taylor is not a climate science denier – he’s much more dangerous.

Elections. The heat’s on solar farm for anti-renewables Liberal candidate Beverley McArthur.  Wagga Wagga by-election: Independent candidate sticks to policy of action on climate change.

Coalition aims to clamp down on activist charities.

RENEWABLE ENERGY  Australian solar starts to dig a hole in mid-day electricity prices.  Queensland could be 90% renewable by 2030 – with right policy settings . Solar energy microgrid for Euroa, Victoria. The inconvenient truths about South Australia’s renewable success .  South Australia commits $180m to batteries, storage and virtual power plants . 16 renewable hydrogen projects backed by ARENA grants.  Australian manufacturers urged to in ditch gas for solar. Energy Minister Taylor says there is too much wind and solar in electricity grid. CWP moves forward with 600MW solar farm in Angus Taylor’s electorate.

RARE EARTHS. Another lithium mine opened in Western Australia.

INTERNATIONAL

Nuclear power: molten salt reactors and sodium-cooled fast reactors make the radioactive waste problem WORSE.

Nuclear reactors shutting down faster than ones are being built.

Climate change talks – in Bangkok – which sinking below rising sea

Rising CO2 levels could push ‘hundreds of millions’ into malnutrition by 2050.

JAPAN.

• Hokkaido’s Tomari NPP using emergency generators after powerful M6.7 earthquake. Japan nuclear plant’s power restored after quake triggers Hokkaido blackout.
• Fukushima episode of Netflix’s Dark Tourist sparks offence in Japan.  Fukushima government considers action over Dark Tourist episode.
• Japan holds public hearings on what to do with growing amounts of radioactive water from the ruined Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
• Mainstream media carefully avoids mentioning the typhoon danger to Japan’s nuclear power stations and waste dumps.
• Nuclear reprocessing has little future in Japan, as utilities end funding.

UK. A report on Sellafield highlights the likely nuclear damage to Ireland. Spinning’O-Wind Turbine captures wind from any direction.

RUSSIA. Russia’s nuclear wastes, and the clean-up of Andreeva Bay .

USA.

• If Democrats take over Congress in November, there’ll be cuts to USA’s nuclear weapons spending.  USA and Russia – in 20th Century -devised hideously elaborate ways of blowing each other up. A National Campaign Emerges to Prevent Nuclear War.
• Duke Energy rules out any new nuclear plants in its long range plans. Companies Orano – formerly AREVA, and Holtec aim for private-public partnerships on USA’s nuclear wastes.  The economic pain of nuclear power station closures.
•  Tropical storms pose danger to America’s nuclear power stations.

NORTH and SOUTH KOREA. Third summit this year between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un.

GERMANY. New highs for solar power generation in Germany, as extreme heat shut nuclear and coal plants.

AUSTRIA. Austria continues its legal action crusade against nuclear power in Europe.

Australia and overseas: climate and nuclear news

Melting permafrost in Alaska reveals ancient fossils and artifacts. Container ships can now save lots of time, going via a new shipping route through the Arctic. New mining opportunities in Greenland. Americans will be able to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildl.ife Refuge.

Ain’t it all great? Not really. The melting of the Arctic is a global horror story. Is anyone noticing? Does anyone care?  That is the question that our children and grandchildren will be asking.

AUSTRALIA

We all know that Australia’s climate action is now stuffed.   PM Morrison visiting drought areas “not terribly interested” in climate change.   Misogynist and Cowardly – Australia’s Liberal govt passes the hard jobs on to women! We in Oz now have to suffer dismissal of the climate issue by our new Energy Minister, and the hypocritical platitudes of our new Environment Minister, both comfortably in the service of the fossil fuel industries.

But – is the shit about to hit the fan? Australia’s failure on climate action is likely to doom the $15b European trade deal.

The Pacific Forum is on this week, but coal-loving PM Scott Morrison will not attend, especially as the Pacific leaders demand Australian action on climate change. Foreign Minister Marise Payne will be there, working hard to avoid that subject. Pacific nations see climate change as the top security issue.

Moderate Liberals angry at Morrison government’s stance on climate change. Malcolm Turnbull’s son can’t vote Liberal because of their failure on climate change.

NUCLEAR.

Cyclists start 900km journey to Canberra, with Nobel Peace Prize and aim to end nuclear weapons.

Call to Australian War Memorial: Stop accepting funding from weapon-makers.

South Australia’s Greens leader Mark Parnell urges a united stand against nuclear waste dump plan.   Survey shows North region of South Australia mainly opposed to nuclear waste dump.  Environmental and flooding dangers to planned Flinders Ranges nuclear waste dump.  Michele Madigan – update on the struggle against nuclear waste dumping in the Flinders Ranges.

Western Australia’s Traditional owners steadfast in 40 years’ opposition to uranium mining. Aboriginal Elders take action against uranium mining.  Last week of the Walkatjurra Walkabout.

Aboriginals not happy with former PM Tony Abbott as Envoy on Indigenous Affairs.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Queensland says wind, solar key to lower power bills, creates new renewables generation company. APA to add solar park to biggest wind farm in Western Australia.

INTERNATIONAL

Bangkok Climate Talks: time to deliver on Paris rulebook. El Nino weather is made more extreme because of climate change.

Media about climate change must address the social impacts, and respect refugees.

UK, USSR, and US soldiers paid the health costs, as guinea pigs for nuclear bomb blasts.   Cosmic ionising radiation is a threat to pregnant flight crew members.

ARCTIC. Arctic sea ice under threat from warm water that has arrived deep below it.

JAPAN.   Fukushima. Opposition to release of Fukushima radioactive tritium water into the sea; longterm storage the better option. Release of tritium-tainted water into sea is opposed by Fukushima fisheries group.  Japan might sue journalist over his coverage of Fukushima, in Dark Tourist series. Japan’s municipalities in growing rejection to hosting nuclear waste dumps.  Fukushima to remove controversial statue of child in radiation protection suit.

Water leak in Japan’s unfinished Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant.   Nuclear fuel soon to be removed from Japan’s failed Monju fast breeder reactor. Japanese students submit nuclear abolition petition to UN. Nuclear waste briefings in coastal areas. Japan revises guidelines for earthquake probabilities.

IRAN. U.N. watchdog says Iran continues to comply with nuclear restrictions despite U.S. pullout.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. The woman who tore up the curtain of silence.

USA.

• Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen’s involvement in shady deals to secure huge funding for nuclear project
• USA negotiations with North Korea may be on the verge of breakdown
• Karl Grossman on the nuclear weaponisation of space.
• Terrible sickness price paid by Americans for 1,032 nuclear bombs the govt dropped on America.
• Trump administration partners with weapons contractors, removes Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board power to oversee worker safety.
• Agreement for USA commercial nuclear power to provide tritium for nuclear weapons.
• USA scales back emergency zones for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) to try to make them affodable.
• Safety measures for America’s nuclear weapons complex to be unravelled.
• A second Hanford radioactive waste tunnel in danger of collapse. Westinghouse nuclear fuel factory – more leaks discovered.
• Slow death of nuclear power, leaving stranded radioactive trash.
• Call for immediate removal of nuclear waste from San Onofre area.
• Lawmaker presses for quicker action to help military clean-up crews of USA’s 1966 nuclear accident in Spain.
• Colorado River polluted since 1969 by nuclear explosion fracturing experiments.

GERMANY. French and German anti nuclear campaigners block uranium transport.  German nuclear waste and Geoscience authorities in selection process for nuclear waste dump.    New documentary claims that Hitler had nuclear weapons ambitions, only thwarted by an accident.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s plans to make Qatar a nuclear waste dump island.

CHINA. China reaffirms commitment to no first use of nuclear weapons.  Ecological risks of China’s floating nuclear power plants in South China Sea.

TAIWAN. Taiwan to hold referendum on lifting Fukushima food ban in November.

UK. South Korea’s nuclear corporation in desperate effort to save Moorside nuclear plant project .  How a UK submarine could carry out a nuclear strike, depending on a radio programme.  Protest rally against nuclear power station mud dump.

CANADA. Following Trump, Canada and Australia go backwards on climate change action.

FRANCE. France’s Environment Minister quits in protest about nuclear and climate policy.    Resignation of France’s Environment Minister – he did not do a great deal to pull back nuclear power.

RUSSIA. Russia’s $9 billion nuclear-powered supercarrier will probably never be completed.

The week in nuclear and climate news, especially Australia

Putin’s “invulnerable”nuclear-powered missile lost at sea. Joins the rest of Russia’s nuclear junk there, and could be leaking radiation.

Jonathon Porritt and 60 other British writers, politicians and academics condemn the concept of a “balanced debate” about human-caused climate change. “Balance implies equal weight. But this then creates a false equivalence between an overwhelming scientific consensus and a lobby, heavily funded by vested interests, that exists simply to sow doubt to serve those interests.”

AUSTRALIA

Well, suddenly we have a new Prime Minister –  “S coal mo”  – i.e Scott Morrison. We all feared that we would get that truly dreadful man Peter Dutton. But now – we have “Dutton in sheep’s clothing”. Believe me, Morrison will be just as bad –   same policies, just a bit more intelligent in spinning them.

And the new Cabinet?  A motley crew of climate denialists and pro nuclear proponents.

CLIMATE

Australia’s climate change policy sets a dangerous precedent for the world.  Pathetic Australia ?- freeloading as the rest of the world grapples with climate change.  Annabel Crabb outlines the demise of Australia’s climate policy in 7 killings.

Former coal industry boss is Scott Morrison’s chief of staff.  Morrison names leading anti-wind campaigner as energy minister.

The Liberal Party is imploding largely because of climate change. Right wing MPs wanted Dutton as PM to exit Paris climate agreement.

NUCLEAR

Earthquake 20 August near Hawker planned site for nuclear waste dump.

Supreme Court keeps the halt on Kimba nuclear waste dump vote. Hawker vote on nuclear dump siting delayed, after Bangarla people’s cot win.  Barngarla Aboriginal community’s Native Title includes the land aruround Kimba nuclear waste dump plan: Human Rights Commission to consider their voting rights.

Kimba’s aging population will hand the disaster of a “temporary” nuclear waste dump on to their descendants.

No clarity in Australian govt’s $31 million grants for communities to host nuclear waste dump. So called benefits from the waste dump don’t add up according to a new report.

Protesters against national radioactive waste dump march on Joy Baluch AM Bridge.

Is South Australian group Engage 2 Act a nuclear propaganda front?

Wangan and Jagalingou leaders call on Queensland Govt not to extinguish native title. –Black Mist Burnt Country: art under the nuclear cloud of Maralinga.  Coniston Aboriginal massacre descendants reunite  to push for national truth-telling process.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.  Victoria Labor pledges $1.2 billion in rebates, loans for rooftop solar.   CSIRO roadmap finds hydrogen industry set for scale-up. Two major solar farms for Whyalla, South Australia.

INTERNATIONAL

The nuclear establishment cannot be trusted on radiation. Beware of the nuclear apologists.

Renewable energy systems set to go ahead with new technology enhancing flexibility.

JAPAN. Japan’s 2020 Olympic Games a public relations cover-up of the Fukushima fiasco, for the nuclear industry.   Risk of terrorist attacks in Japan Olympics: Japan strengthening waterfront security.  Japan’s emergency drill envisages nuclear accidents at multiple locations. Watchdog says TEPCO nuclear disaster drill ‘unacceptable’.   Big safety costs for Japan’s nuclear power stations- and costs will grow yearly.

-Japan plans to reduce its 47.3 tons of stockpiled plutonium. Fukushima: UN says cleanup workers in danger of ‘exploitation’.

FRANCE. Hot weather continues to cause lower nuclear power production in France.    Increased danger for mountaineers, as climate change melts the French Alps.

RUSSIA. Scepticism, even among pro-nukers, about Russia’s much boasted floating nuclear power plant.   Russian official threatens use of nuclear weapons in Syria.

UK. Following Brexit, UK will no longer be a member of Nuclear Fusion for Energy.  UK government outlines plans for the civil nuclear sector if Britain leaves European Union without any deal.

Continued safety worries at UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE).  Dumping of Hinkley nuclear’s radioactive mud would break the law.  Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) points out the climate change threats to proposed Bradwell B new nuclear power station.

Following Chernobyl, Britain’s District Councils’ information role was limited to PR for the government. Demolition of Windscale Pile One Stack at Sellafield.

USA.

•  Donald Trump has directed the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, to delay a planned trip to North Korea.
• USA emergency measures include preparations for nuclear attacks on 60 U.S. cities.
• The nuclear modernization program is not sustainable economically– Kristensen.  Why bother with an underground bunker? USA tests Upgraded ‘Earth-Penetrating’ Nuclear Bomb.
• Nobody wants to pay the $4.7 Billion Nuclear Bill for South Carolina’s abandoned nuclear project.
• Nevada residents strongly opposing proposed Yucca Mountain dump scheme.
• Plutonium remains in the ground below proposed Rocky Flats national wildlife refuge.
•  Small Modular Nuclear Reactors could be a costly mistake for Idaho utility.
• Hotter water forces Pilgrim nuclear power plant to half capacity.
• U.S. army increasing its investment and use of solar power.

PAKISTAN. Imran Khan and Pakistan’s nuclear bomb.

SOUTH KOREA. War fear panic is good for bunker salesmen in South Korea.

TAIWAN. Taiwan Premier encourages renewable energy, repeats commitment to phase out nuclear power.

IRAN. Britain is now contributing to upgrade of Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor.

FINLAND. Finland company looks to China’s lucrative nuclear decommissionig and nuclear waste market.

Australia: Scott Morrison’s new Cabinet: a Miserable Bunch pro Coal and Nuclear

Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance, Special Minister of State, Leader of the Government in the Senate:   WA senator pushes benefits of nuclear energy 
A WA Liberal Senator, Mathias Cormann, is pushing the merits of Australia developing nuclear energy …….But, Mr Cormann was unable to say where waste would be buried.
“Longer term, very clearly we do have to find ways to store or to dispose of it in deep geological disposal arrangements but we have time for that“….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-12-04/wa-senator-pushes-benefits-of-nuclear-energy/1168286

Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.  “

“….Energy issues, including removing subsidies for renewables, committing to build a new coal-fired power station in the north, and investigating a nuclear power future in the uranium rich state ” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/07/nationals-leader-pushes-queensland-lnp-to-back-coalitions-energy-policy

Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer  Six sites for nuclear dump revealed by Josh Frydenberg   https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/six-sites-for-nuclear-dump-revealed-by-josh-frydenberg/news-story/beb13af3f67278e688f7cf115eabf618

Steve Ciobo, Minister for Defence Industry  Steve Ciobo overturned mining loan ban without consulting department The minister for trade, Steve Ciobo, overturned a ban on government-backed loans to domestic miners last year without consulting his department.

The controversial decision meant the federal government could start funding coalmining projects at a time when Australia’s major banks are increasingly distancing themselves from investing in coal.

Matthew Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia 

Resources Minister Matt Canavan is deceptive in his statements about “Low Level “nuclear waste https://antinuclear.net/2018/08/17/resources-minister-matt-canavan-is-deceptive-in-his-statements-about-low-level-nuclear-waste/

Matt Canavan’s optimistic coal forecast contradicts his own department https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/02/matt-canavans-optimistic-coal-forecast-contradicts-his-own-department

 

Melissa Price, Minister for the Environment. This one is a bit of an unknown quantity. Unlike the rest of them, she actually knows something about the environment.  Expect the rest of them to bully her into shape

Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy   Angus Taylor lobbied against wind farms and was favourite of the Wind Farm Syndrome lobby   https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/9ae1rq/angus_taylor_lobbied_against_wind_farms_and_was/

 David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources He is pushing energy company CS Energy to double the size of Australia’s newest coal-fired power station, Kogan Creek, on Queensland’s Darling Downs.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-06/nationals-to-ramp-up-support-for-coal/8875574

 David Fawcett, Assistant Minister for Defence  was noted as a climate  change denier, on the    Liberals don’t want sustainable energy list    http://ramblingsdc.net/Australia/Liberal.htm

Report shows that the “benefits” of a nuclear waste dump for rural South Australia are greatly exaggerated

20 August 2018  A new report into the claimed economic benefits to regional communities of the Federal Government nuclear waste facility has found the government has exaggerated the benefits, and not properly factored in insurance costs and other risks.

The report’s release comes as the Federal Government scrambles to fix up a controversial community ballot process in the wake of a Supreme Court injunction.  The ballot was due

to begin today (Monday) in the two affected communities of Kimba and Hawker.

“This whole process has been poorly conducted and horribly divisive from day one,” said Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive of the state’s peak environment body, Conservation SA.
“Knowing how reluctant many people in Kimba and the Flinders Ranges are to having a nuclear waste dump in their backyard, the Federal Government has greatly over-sold the economic benefits to try and buy community support.
“This report is a reality check for a community sick of the spin from the Federal Government,” he said.
Conservation SA commissioned economic think tank The Australia Institute to examine more closely Federal Government’s claims of an economic windfall for the affected communities.

The “Down in the Dumps” report compared the current Australian National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF) plans with similar facilities overseas, and found a raft of exaggerated jobs and economic return claims.  For example, a proposed facility in Canada which is more than one hundred times larger with more functions and features, will cost only half as much to construct and operate.

As the report’s author, Dr Cameron Murray, states: ‘Either the waste facility is orders of magnitude larger than need for Australia’s nuclear waste, or the government has exaggerated the economic returns to the local community of the NRWMF facility’.

It also questioned the true value of the promised $31 million in local grants and infrastructure promises, as some of this appears to be double-counting, re-labelling of other programs or matched by cuts to other funding streams.

Adjusting the economic impact assessment to account for the exaggerated claims reduces the number of net full time jobs down to just 6.

“At the end of the day, the case for shifting waste across from Sydney to South Australia simply doesn’t stack up,” said Mr Wilkins.

“Why is the Federal Government pushing so hard to move Australia’s highest risk radioactive waste from Lucas Heights where it is safely and securely stored, to park it in SA in temporary sheds while they work out what to do with it?

“Wouldn’t it be better to work out the final disposal plan first, including the true cost and benefit to the local community, and then move it once when everything is sorted?
“Double handling is incredibly wasteful, is not international best practice, and makes no sense in terms of public health or radiation safety.

“It is time for the Federal Government to apologise, walk away and put in place a credible pathway for a long term, permanent solution to nuclear waste stored at Lucas Heights,” he said.
The full report can be found her
For comment:
Dr Cameron Murray, The Australia Institute, 0422 144 674
Craig Wilkins, Conservation SA, 0417 879 439