Nuclear News - under the radar in Australia (video)

AUSTRALIA

Again - seemingly quiet on the nuclear front in Australia. Yet, again, under the mainstream media radar, things are happening. BHP retreated from all uranium exploration in South Australia. Still the pro uranium hype continues, with Uranium SA’s chairman’s report talking up the industry’s prospects, (despite all evidence to the contrary), spruiking its environmental advantages, and promoting Generation IV nuke reactors (even though they use little uranium, and the most hyped one - thorium reactor, is designed to replace uranium}. 

On that point, thorium versus uranium, there’s a call from a "New South Wales "jury"s report about nuclear power for Australia. It recommends "discussion"" on nuclear power - especially in the light of NSW’s ban on uranium mining. You see, THORIUM mining is not banned in NSW.

Australia participated in two regional agreements favouring nuclear power. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will explore nuclear power as a long-term option for the region’s energy needs, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed to “ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear energy as a clean energy source in interested economies.”

Wind energy from South Australia reached amazing levels - a week of average 55% of electricity supplied, at one point, 85%, and some exported to Victoria. New South Wales came up with a renewabl energy plan that looks good, but turns out to be a dud. Queensland’s Campbell Newman’s budget was a renewable energy massacre, axing 16 climate change and renewables projects.

Naturally, news of India’s turmoil over anti nuclear protests and police violence did not appear in the Australian media. But well, look, it IS the football final week.

INTERNATIONAL

India. Police used tear gas, and opened fire on some of the 20,000 anti nuclear protestors opposing Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) - one man killed and many injured.

Japan. So much news seeping out of Japan: the difficulties in removing highly radioactive debris from around Fukushima reactor No.3: the coming shortage of cleanup workers, as radiation monitors eliminate many workers due to dosage level received: it will take at least 40 years to decommission Fukushima reactors:increasing levels of cesium in subsea mud along Japan’s West coast. Worst of all - news that fukushima schoolkids lunches continue to contain radioactive food, and the Authorities don’t take this seriously!

USA. Nuclear Regulatory Commission produces a new proposal that will ease the safety regulations for new nuclear reactors.

Russia forging on with new nuclear plans - huge nuclear-powered ice-breaker - so they can control Arctic areas, and very hasty development of a dangerous MOX nuclear reprocessing plant at Beloyarsk

Canada: As Quebec shuts down its nuclear reactor, Canada joins the unseemly frenzy of nuclear countries keen to flog off their nuclear technology to India.

—
Christina Macpherson
Antinuclear Australia
www.antinuclear.net
www.nuclear-news.net