By Christina Macpherson
AUSTRALIA
The focus this week has been on The Renewable Energy Target, (RET) currently under review by the Climate Change Authority. The RET has been very successful, facilitating $18 billion in investment in clean energy, bringing down wholesale energy prices, and enabling Australia to meet its Kyoto emission-reduction goals.
Predictably, utility companies and the media’s fossil fuel lobby mouthpieces are bleating loudly that the RET should be dumped, or weakened. A Senate committee found that high electricity prices are mainly the result of the utilities over-investment in poles and wires (gold-plating), but the right-wing ( including Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon) blames the RET. It’s probably the fossil fuel lobby’s last ditch fight against the RET.
Meanwhile, decentralised energy, solar rooftops, grows apace, and along with energy efficiency, reduces demand for coal-fired energy. Wind power in South Australia, being a free fuel source, is pushing coal energy out of competition,
Prestigious Australian film-maker David Bradbury was arrested in India, and barred from visiting the Tamil Nadu are of anti-nuclear protest. Senator Scott Ludlam is pursuing the matter with India’s Ambassador.
Queensland. Warnings on the likely impact of uranium mining on Aborigines – following the pattern of restricting Aboriginal rights in other uranium States and Territory. Sad to see the uranium industry’s Aboriginal poster boy, Warren Mundine, being drawn into the charade of hyping the industry. Warnings also on the very real possibility of uranium being transported through the Great Barrier Reef. Opposition to uranium mining is alive and well in Queensland, including from the Electrical Trades Union, and the the Mayor of Rockhampton. Premier Campbell Newman advises critics to “Vote Green” – (first sensible thing I’ve heard him say) Caloundra’s privately funded solar array is up and running.
Uranium market. As one market analyst after another warns on the plummeting price of uranium, one has to admire the touching religious fervour of uranium company spokesmen, and Premiers of the uranium mining States. They keep banging on about the long-term prospects, but these are in serious doubt now.
Australian uranium company Paladin just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. As if losing $squillions wasn’t enough, Paladin has made itself extremely unpopular in Malawi, with not keeping to the agreed conditions at the Kayerekera Uranium Mine.
Launching of Robert Drewe’s new book “Montebello” reveals the shameful history of atomic bombing of the Montebello Islands.
INTERNATIONAL
USA. The hurricane and storm surge has shut 3 nuclear plants. At least 10 nuclear reactors along the East coast experienced problems, with the “Sandy” hurricane. Gas fires are raging 10 miles away from Oyster Creek nuclear plant. Oyster Creek’s reactor was offline for fueling and maintenance. What regulators don’t add, however, is that the reactor still needs cooling for residual decay heat, and that the fuel pool likely contains more fuel and hotter fuel as a result of this procedure, which means it is even more at risk for overheating. And, perhaps most notably, with the reactor shutdown, it is not producing the electricity that could be used to keep water circulating through the spent fuel pool. At the Salem nuclear plant a wave also took out 5 of the 6 critical water pumps. Salem is still operating on emergency cooling systems.
USA elections: “Sandy” hurricane has had a devastating effect on USA’s East coast ,. It has prompted Americans to think about climate change. New York’s Mayor Bloomberg has announced his support for Obama, in view of Obama’s efforts to act on global warming, and in promotion of renewable energy, in contrast to Romney’s climate denialism.
UK. Energy Minister John Hayes announced that new nuclear reactors may get government subsidy, (despite Govt’s promises to the contrary). Japanese company Hitachi desperate for sale of nuclear technology, so will take over the UK’s nuclear project. Meanwhile trade association Renewable UK. reported on new research, showing rapid rise in renewable energy, with wind set to outdo nuclear energy by 2015.
UK will not take part in pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Europe. Nuclear energy on the downward slide, with Finland’s Fennovoima project the latest nuclear project likely to go down the drain.
India. Arrests of anti nuclear activists continue. Despite repression, and the barring of activists, including Australian film-maker David Bradbury) entering Tamil Nadu area, still 1000 protested again against Kudankulam nuclera power plant. India is going to waive its Nuclear Liability law, for the purchase of nuclear technology from Russia. Attorney General G E Vahanvati not happy with this decision.
Japan. Things are not getting any better for communities still living in radiation contaminated areas of Fukushima. A former Tepco worker is taking legal action against the company, for its negligence in not warning Fukushima emergency workers of their radiation danger. TEPCO to make all its employees work for periods at Fukushima each year.
Taiwan: Economics committee wants Taipei’s Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao District transformed into a gas power plant
New books launched - www.freshcurrents.org ‘Fresh Currents’ charts the way to, and from, Fukushima, for Japan and the world Nuclear Roulette: The Truth about the Most Dangerous Energy Source on Earth
