AUSTRALIA
Uranium. Toro Energy holds its AGM in Perth today. As other uranium companies cut back on spending, in some cases closing, and exploration ceasing this one company forges ahead with expansion plans. I wonder if their shareholders understand the true situation. Or even if their new CEO Vanessa Guthrie, understands what she's been caught up in. Investment advisers are waking up to the poor outlook for uranium markets
Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan. Traditional owners are determined to fight this - now awaiting a meeting with Minister Ian Macfarlane. (Will he bother to meet them, or just give them the brush off in the style of notorious former Minister martin Ferguson?)
Wind Energy. While the Victorian government (inexplicably*) clings to its anti wind legislation, The Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) approves the new Cherry Tree wind farm, near Seymour. VCAT accepted the findings of New South Wales and Victorian state health bodies, and federal departments that wind farms are not harmful to health. Meanwhile in South Australia the EPA study finds no evidence that wind farm noise is impacting residents. (*inexplicably because Premier Napthine' s electorate is very big on wind power)
Climate Change: The Abbott government presses on doggedly in its course to demolish all effective action - now readying for the costly task of getting rid of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, despite the CEFC's success so far. Senator Xenophon points out that the government just hasn't bothered to do any modelling at all on the relative costs of its "Direct Action" policy on carbon emissions
UV RADIATON. Yeah - I know it's not ionising radiation, but it's close - and it's so important. This is scary stuff. Australia (with Egypt and Libya) has the world's highest rate of UV radiation from the sun. Now they're finding that the rare, and usually fatal, Merkel's skin cancer is increasing, in Queensland - and now it's thought to be caused by UV radiation.
INTERNATIONAL
Nuclear industry market - future is not looking too good. The World Bank is investing in renewable energy, but definitely will not invest in nuclear energy. Warren Buffett's going strongly for renewable energy. Goldman Sachs gets out of the uranium market.
Japan. As the perilous removal of nuclear fuel rods goes on at Fukushima, Japan introduces a new secrecy law, much to public and journalists' anxiety.
UK. UK government wins court case to keep secret the documents on the radiation poisoning of Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko. Surviving UK nuclear veterans still fighting for justice
Getting ready for Christmas - trashy useless gifts to help trash the planet.
