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AUSTRALIA
Well, this week, it's still all about renewable energy. The Liberal Coalition promises to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) , if they win the September election. But the CEFC is going ahead with contracts for low carbon companies, anyway. It will be interesting if an Abbott government later tries to break those contracts.
Wind: However, the most interesting energy news of the week is the stoush going on in formerly quiet little King Island. Rather sad, really. A small community being torn apart by the prospect of a feasibility study being done into having a big wind farm there. TasWind, a division of Hydro Tasmania, is running a running a comprehensive “consultative process”. But the anti wind heavies, the “Waubra Foundation” are there in force.
Meanwhile the anti wind farm camp is gearing up for a big rally at Parliament House on June 18. It's run by an anonymous group called Stop These Things. Prominent anti wind campaigners will be speaking, also Alan Jones: 2GB Radio announcer. The Institute of Public Affairs set up the Australian Environment Foundation. Don't be fooled by that name. This organisation is a climate change denial crusader, especially targeting wind energy.
This week the 5 day The inaugural World Indigenous Network (WIN) Conference is on in Darwin, bringing together 1,500 delegates from over 50 countries. The international network of indigenous and local community land and sea managers recently became an official part of the United Nations - part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its main focus is in the preservation of land and sea ecosystems, and in strengthening traditional knowledge of ways to do this.
Matters nuclear: Traditional owners, unions and environmentalists marched in Tennant Creek, showing their determined opposition to the Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan. West Australia Nuclear Free Alliance walkers completed their marathon walk from Yeelirrie to Leonora in opposition to Toro Energy's planned Wiluna uranium project. A second economic study advises that this project is not likely to be financially viable.
INTERNATIONAL
USA. Senator Boxer reveals deceptions by Southern California Edison regarding San Onofre nuclear power plant, and calls for a criminal investigation. The nuclear industry watches in trepidation. Closed down since January 2012, San Onofre could be the most significant ninepin to fall, and set the whole USA nuclear industry going down. Navajo Nation will prevent the transport of uranium in Arizona.
More concerns expressed about nuclear waste storage at Hanford, at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, and in Michigan which is close to Canada;'s proposed waste dump near Lake Huron.
And - for the first time that I've ever seen, four USA State Attorneys General are petitioning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Among other things they are suggesting, as an option for nuclear waste management -" not allowing further production of spent fuel until there is a safe and environmentally acceptable permanent waste repository"
Japan's Prime Minister Abe, under huge pressure from corporations Hitachi, Toshiba Mitsubishi General Electric, Westinghouse, Areva, has decided to put economic priorities above safety, and go allout for nuclear power. Still the Nuclear Regulator is insisting on strict conditions regarding earthquake risks, before restarting reactors. Abe is travelling about, marketing Japan's nukes to Turkey and Middle Eastern countries.
Fukushima - critical state continues. Japanese officials raised the level of acceptable radiation doses for evacuees of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to avoid increasing costs for compensation, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported .
Russia is not having success in its effort to market its Baltic Nuclear Power Project to European countries. is unable to get investment for this. Russia's particular nuclear reactor model VVER-1200 is regarded by many Europeans as unsafe.
Uranium. Niger is pretty much in a state of war. Suicide bombers killed 20 people at a uranium plant, and French Special Forces are there to protect AREVA"s uranium projects. Uranium markets remain gloomy - but all are pinning their hopes on China - even though China has significantly slowed down its nuclear power program.