Information, sources and links for each item can be found at www.antinuclear.net and at www.nuclear-news.net
AUSTRALIA
Nuclear propaganda booming, even if nuclear industry is declining. Barry Brook comes out with magical prospects for Australia’s nuclear future. Martin Ferguson spruiks for uranium mining in Queensland, but Premier Newman will stick to his electoral promise to keep uranium mining ban in Queensland.
BHP Billiton - interesting times, as its former wonder boy, CEO Marius Kloppers is at odds with investors, who are justifiably worried about BHP’s plan for big new Olympic Damn uranium mine, – its economic viability not looking good. But Tony Abbott pledges his troth to it.
Giant cuttlefish. Australian Greens call for a halt to industrial development, especially desalination plant, at Point Lowly, because of danger of extinction of this unique animal.
Carbon tax. As Minister Greg Combet points out, Australia is one of 30+ countries with carbon pricing, dispelling the claims made by Tony Abbott, as the start date for the tax, July 1, grows near.
Nuclear spin. Apparently getting more desperate to convince Australians, the nuclear lobby touts the idea of small nuclear reactors to power rural mining sites.
Western Australia Conservation Council of WA and Aborignal elder Glen Cooke lodge separate appeals against the EPA’s approval of Toro Energy’s planned uranium mine at Wiluna
Solar power- Giant solar energy project due to be operational near Broken Hill, by 2015. Solar PV on rooftops going ahead – and the electricity grids can cope with plenty more.
Wind power Victorian and NSW governments out of step with community. Clean Energy Council’s survey finds that 80% of Australians regard wind energy as not harmful to health.
INTERNATIONAL
Global data reports that half of the existing nuclear reactors will be closed down by 2030
Japanese P.M. about to authorise restart of 2 nuclear reactors, although safety measures not fully ready before 2015. This puts him at political risk, as the public opposes the restart. Japanese government not yet able to agree on a new nuclear regulatory structure. Govt and media focus on idea of restarting nuclear industry, while experts say that Fukushima plant is still critical. Shareholders meetings of utility companies might impede nuclear restart.
USA federal appeals court on threw out a rule allowing plants to store spent nuclear fuel onsite for decades after they’ve closed, and rules that the NRC cannot license or relicense any nuclear power plant until after a lengthy process of examining risks of wastes. San Onofre nuclear plant to remain closed throughout summer, due to safety issues. USA’s new Vogltle nuclear plant already $1 billion overrun in costs, and construction has only just begun.USA has so far in 2012 its warmest year on record. Much angst as Nuclear Regulatory Commission gets rid of its safety conscious chairman, is choosing a new one.
UK to shut down its Sell;afield nuclear reprocessing plant – not economic to maintain. UK has no plan for disposal of nuclear wastes. Construction on the UK’s national nuclear waste dump, to be built deep underground, is expected to start in 2075, though a location has not yet been chosen.
France. In the struggle against South Korea, USA,, etc for nuclear export contracts, France’s government owned AREVA offers prices for nuclear technology that are below AREVA’s costs.
India. government violates civil rights of anti nuclear protestors – even to the point of treating them as mentally ill. Strong opposition to uranium mining by villages in Mahbubnagar district.