nuclear-news

ACC candidates argue over nuclear power

East Valley Tribune Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services15 Sept 08 The outcome of the Arizona Corporation Commission race in November could determine whether there will be more nuclear power plants in the state…………………..Paul Newman, one of the Democrats running for the three open seats on the panel, said the regulators need to be cautious when proceeding down that path.

“We need diversification,” he said. “But there are some problems, big problems, with nuclear expansion.”

Newman said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which would have to approve new plants, has called the design for the next generation of nuclear plants “problematical at best.”

“That means a long delay for nuclear development,” he said.

Uranium go-ahead sparks rush *
The Age David Lague, Perth * September 16, 2008THE incoming West Australian Government’s green light for uranium mining has unleashed a scramble to accelerate exploration that could allow Australia to satisfy a bigger share of global demand for nuclear fuel.Prospective miners yesterday announced plans to intensify exploration and development of their deposits just a day after the Liberals and Nationals joined forces to form a government with a core mission to overturn Labor’s ban on uranium mining.

Imports of nuclear power opposed by green groups
Cheung Chi-fai
South china morning Post Sep 15, 2008 Environmental activists have opposed further imports of nuclear-generated electricity from across the border under a new energy agreement with the mainland, though a power supplier has hinted it might expand imports. …

Australian uranium mining dilemma

THE mining of our uranium is digging Australia into one big geo-political hole.

Russia, India and China all desperately want to get their hands on our massive deposits of uranium.

We’ve said yes to China, no to India and, as for Russia, we’ve swung from yes to no to probably one day.

It should never have come to this.

It is true that PM Kevin Rudd inherited this nuclear nightmare from John Howard, but the ALP should have seen it coming and tried to avert it.

Russia, India and China are all armed with nuclear weapons, but deny they want our uranium for weapons use and pledge to use it only for peaceful purposes.

How can we trust any of them, when they don’t even trust each other?……………………….How could any sane person trust Russian PM Vladimir Putin?……………………Soon after his uranium deal with Australia, Putin went on national TV to boast that he was expanding Russia’s nuclear weapons capabilities………………………..

What remains unmentioned is that Russia was also waiting for India to gain this waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group in order to build four more nuclear reactors in India.

Australia’s exploitation of its substantial uranium deposits brings to mind the expression: “Lie down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas.”

For those who hoped for a healthy dose of political change, patience is starting to wear thin.

Labor strikes deal with Nats in uranium compromise 13th September 2008,  There is mounting speculation in political circles today that Alan Carpenter has struck a deal with the Nationals to form a minority government.Labor sources suggested that the deal had been as good as done and it may involve a change in Mr Carpenter’s anti-uranium mining policy……………………………….

The Nationals are pro-uranium mining but Mr Carpenter remains vehemently opposed to it and promised during the election campaign to pass legislation banning it.

Sources suggested today that the door could be ajar to a change in Labor policy which may involve the royalties from uranium mining being spent on Aboriginal issues.