The Nuclear Week That Was

AUSTRALIA

Once again, all the action is Australia is really about renewable energy. The nuclear/uranium lobby is very quiet – as well they might be, with the gloomy international news for their industry.

So – I might as well take this opportunity to report a little housekeeping news for my websites. They’re in a bit of peril. But I don’t really know how much, me being somewhat legally illiterate, and Luddite.

It’s a kind of tribute to find myself on Roger Helbig’s “hit list“ Lt. Col. Roger Helbig is part of a Pentagon disinformation campaign to prevent people from challenging the use of depleted uranium as a weapon. He specialises in discrediting some quite prestigious writers and in closing down anti nuclear websites. Yesterday Mr Helbig sent me a long email, threatening legal action, and he advised me that:

“I have already advised WordPress and I will make every possible effort to take down your WordPress blog and eliminate your ability to ever have another WordPress blog.”

Getting back to the real news:

The Australian government has failed to exercise any duty of care, in the case of Australian citizen Ben Zygier, whoe died in gaol in Israel, in mysterious circumstances. As in the case of David Hicks, we were too scared to offend USA and Israel.
10 years after Australia undemocratically entered the Iraq war, highly regarded Australians now call for a Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry – lest we make the same mistake again.
Aboriginals’ status: Michael Anderson explains that what is needed is a Sovereign Treaty, not Act of Recognition
Renewable Energy. Western Australian Greens release Energy 2029 – a plan for the State. Solar energy initiative in Kalgoorlie, calls for big solar initiatives in Port Augusta, and in Hunter Valley. Almost a million small solar panel systems in Australia. Australian solar consortium to develop 250 MW Indonesian project.
Tony Abbott produces climate plans that are pretty much word for word taken from American Tea Party climate denialists
Cameco admits that its Kintyre uranium project is not economically viable

INTERNATIONAL

A big promotion for “small nuclear reactors” – but – read between the lines – even the proponents admit that they are untested, and just as expensive as large ones.

Uranium companies advised to get out of Africa – seeing that African nations will now probably demand fair treatment (we can’t have that, can we? It’s not profitable)

Europe’s nuclear industry in palliative care, or worse, as Czech Republic joins long list of failed nuclear projects. Finland is embarrassed at super costly ever-delayed Olkiluoto new nuclear plant. UK government writhing about as it tries to devise subsidies that don’t look like subsidies, for nuclear power

USA: A bit of positive news, as Obama states his aim and plans for climate change action, and renewable energy.

North Korea: public exultation at announcement of a nuclear test, but features of this test are not clear, due to the secrecy of this State, and no radiation being detected.

India: France’s President Sarkozy goes to India to promote sales of French nuclear technology, but greeted by anti nuclear protest, and burning of French flag.

Fukushima: worrying radiation and cancer news filters out, despite media censorship in Japan, and in global mass media. 70,000 US navy personnel were exposed to Fukushima radiation, and many are ill.

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