Nuclear and climate news to September 24

Abolish nukes now

Once again, I have to admit, that however terrible the nuclear industry is, the climate threat is the currently urgent global danger. That’s because the “window of opportunity” to contain it is near to closing. Global warming will accelerate as oceans reach limits of remediation. Climate change action can be stopped by Trans Pacific Partnership. Internationally, the nuclear industry, notably in China, got a boost from the UK government’s decision to go ahead with the Hinkley Point C project. Not everyone was happy about that. Russia felt the need to warn of the negative effect that would resound around the world, if the Hinkley project stuffed up.

 

AUSTRALIA

*NUCLEAR*

 

*South Australia*. Premier Jay Weatherill wrote a deceptive pro nuclear article. (I’ll be writing more about this at a later stage). However, the comments below his article showed that not all registered Advertiser readers were taken in. Weatherill has gone to Finland accompanied by pro nuclear advocates.


Jay Weatherill’s plan is not only ridiculously long term, but also political dynamite. Meanwhile, Finland companies keen to market their nuclear waste technology to South Australia. In that same article Weatherill mentions the next step in his campaign – to change South Australia’s law against nuclear waste storage.

 

The SA government runs a nuclear “Your Say” site. People must register to comment. And they do. Some critical comments are posted. 80 % of ABC North and West listeners oppose South Australia’s nuclear waste import plan.

 

The SA government continues its nuclear roadshow. Very little media information. Facebook can be a source of news, e.g. Nuclear Fuel Cycle Watch

South Australia and Fight to Stop Nuclear Waste Dump in Flinders Ranges.

 

*CLIMATE*. Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) lodges appeal against Federal Court’s approval of giant Adani coal mine.

 

*Renewable Energy*. Business Investment in Renewable Energy hit by government cuts to Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

Another secret and dangerous trade deal – the Trade In Services Agreement.

 

Risk of another Chernobyl or Fukushima type accident is plausible, experts say.

 

Practically permanent plunge for the uranium market.

 

*EUROPE*. European Court of Auditors see nuclear decommissioning funds shortfall.

 

*UK.* A second successful nuclear convoy holdup by intrepid Scottish pensioner. BBC and Science Media Centre (SMC UK) are pro nuclear spruikers. Liberal Democrats oppose Hinkley nuclear plan – ‘very poor value for money’. Theresa May caved in, approving Hinkley nuclear, but the nuclear debate is far from over. Major challenges ahead for Britain’s new nuclear plans – warns EDF chief.


Scotttish politicians slam the danger, secrecy, of hazardous air transport of nuclear wastes.

 

*JAPAN.* Area not far from Tokyo hit by 6.4 earthquake.

 

Failure of Japan’s 20 year, costly, Monju nuclear reprocessing project


*Fukushima*. Underground Water Now Surfacing in Fukushima Daiichi. Panel to examine options for wrecked Fukushima plant. Fukushima unveils grand plan for alternative energy transmission line networks.

 

*USA.*

 

- Nuclear weapons cuts for USA? Obama tries, but has limited options. USA and South Korea to conduct mock attack on nuclear facility, (with North Korea in mind).

- US taxpayers up for huge costs for accident at Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP).

- Alarm, and lawsuit, over dangers of trucking nuclear waste interstate in America.

- USA could lend $billions to India – anything to sell nuclear reactors!

- New York congressman questions impact of climate change on nuclear facilities.

- Factor climate into national security policy – executive direction by President Obama.

- Wind energy getting popular with USA Republicans.

 

*SOUTH AFRICA. *High Court in South Africa to hear case against government’s nuclear power plan . . President Zuma signs secret Russian nuclear deal. South Africa’s Energy Minister is asked to release all nuclear-bid information. South Africa has no plan for dealing with nuclear waste.

 

*CHINA*. Further nuclear power development in China will require local public consent

 

*CANADA*. Canada’s SNC Lavalin marketing nuclear reactors to China.