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Forum: South Australia’s power system: a crisis or a canary? Oct 10

September 27, 2016

Members of FOE’s Clean Futures Collective – Campaign to Use Renewable Energy will be attending this forum.

South Australia’s power system: a crisis or a canary?

by Grattan Institute and Melbourne Energy Institute

6pm Monday 10 October
State Library
North Terrace

Book free tickets

In recent months, South Australia has witnessed some remarkable changes in the electricity system. Already S.A. is the state with the highest per capita penetration of wind and solar technologies. With Northern Power Station shutting down, S.A. Becomes the first mainland state to become coal free. Combined with Pelican Point out of operation and the main interconnector to Victoria being constrained with upgrade maintenance, S.A. saw market volatility and high price events not seen for many years. S.A. is a world leader in terms of integrating renewable energy into the grid, but these recent events have put a spotlight on the challenges that come with this transition. What needs to happen next in S.A.? Will storage technologies smooth the system or will solar thermal find a place? Perhaps the link to Victoria’s stable brown coal generators will keep the system secure, but does that negate the green credentials?

Speakers

Dr Don Russell was appointed as Chief Executive of the Department of State Development on 1 July 2014. From 2011 to 2013, Dr Russell was the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Dr Russell was previously Independent Chairperson of State Super, a role that he held from January 2008. State Super is a $38 billion fund that manages public service defined benefit schemes for the NSW State Government. Until March 2010, Dr Russell was the Global Investment Strategist at BNY Mellon Asset Management Australia. BNY Mellon is a global investments company. He has a PhD from the London School of Economics, a MEc from ANU and a BEc (Hons) (First) from Flinders University.… Read more >>

Clean Futures, Old_Notes

“Unclear or Nuclear Future for SA” forum 28 Sept

September 25, 2016

Another forum for people to attend to ask the hard questions of former Commissioner Kevin Scarce.

UNCLEAR OR NUCLEAR FUTURE FOR SA?

A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON THE PROPOSED WASTE REPOSITORY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Wednesday September 28th 2016
7:00 PM followed by supper
Brougham Place Uniting Church
193 Brougham Place
North Adelaide SA 5006

Keynote Speaker:
– Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN (Rtd); Royal Commissioner for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Panel includes:
– Frank H Lampard OAM, Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement
– Dr Deidre Palmer, Moderator of the Uniting Church in South Australia
– Craig Wilkins, Conservation SA Chief Executive

Nuclear, Old_Notes

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Important: Talk to your MP about nuclear waste dumps

September 25, 2016

One of the most important things you can do to prevent nuclear waste dumps in SA is to talk to your MP. MPs are saying their constituents are not contacting them opposing the dump proposals and silence is either seen as consent, or that its not a big issue for constituents.

You don’t need to be an expert, just talk to your MP about your own perspective and speak from the heart. Its a good idea to ask them for their position and opinion and which way they would vote. Its particularly important to speak up about the international dump during October and November.

State MPs

Talk to them about your opposition to SA becoming the world’s nuclear waste dump. Let them know your environmental concerns, worker and public safety concerns, future generations, lack of respect for Traditional Owners and transport and terrorism risks. Tell them you want to keep the legislation that currently bans nuclear waste dumps.
More information here and here.

To find your State MP look up your suburb to find your electorate here then find which MP represents your electorate here.

Federal MPs

Talk to them about the federal government’s plan to put a waste dump at Wallerbedina, near Barndioota, near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges.
Talk to them about the need to keep federal legislation that bans the establishment of nuclear waste dumps in Australia. Ask them how they would vote if a bill to change the legislation was introduced.
If your MP is Labor, ask them to keep strong to the Labor platform of banning nuclear waste dumps and ask them how they would vote if a proposal to overturn the ban were introduced.
More information here.

To find your Federal electorate and Federal MP search here.

Any questions? Contact us at adelaide.office@foe.org.au

Clean Futures, Environmental Law, Nuclear, Old_Notes

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Fossil Fuel Divestment Day – Sat Oct 8

September 24, 2016

Join FOE Affiliate Market Forces for a national day of action on Saturday Oct 8.

Where: Hindmarsh Square – Corner Grenfell and Pulteney Streets
When: 11am
Facebook event page

“Be part of actions all around Australia and help us send a message to the big banks: “If you choose fossil fuels, your customers will choose another bank!”

The big banks have broken their promises to help keep global warming below two degrees.

Since publicly supporting the Paris agreement’s two degree limit, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac have loaned a combined $5.6 billion to fossil fuels around the world.

It’s time to send the big banks a clear message: “If you choose fossil fuels, your customers will choose another bank!”

That’s exactly the message we’ll be sending on 8 October 2016, giving customers the power to take a stand against the banks dirty lending activities on a national day of action.

If you don’t want your savings being used to finance projects that destroy the environment and make climate change worse, sign up to join us on Divestment Day 2016!”

Actions, Climate, Divestment, Old_Notes, Renewables

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Important petition: Block the TPP legislation in the Senate

September 24, 2016

We don’t normally share petitions but this is an exception, calling on Labor, the Greens and Cross Benchers to block the TPP legislation in the Senate.

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (or TPP) is a dangerous trade deal with the potential to destroy thousands of Australian jobs.

The deal was negotiated by Malcolm Turnbull behind closed doors and allows corporations to sue our government just for making laws in the public interest. The TPP risks our jobs, our health and our democracy.

We have to defeat the TPP because:

it allows corporations to sue Australia just for making laws in the public interest (like lowering the cost of medicines for the sick).
it will force Australia to take even more workers on dodgy visas, undermining our wages and conditions and allowing corporations to make a killing off the backs of exploited foreign workers.
it says it will protect workers and the environment but is vague and almost unenforceable.
We have to stop this corporate power grab –and we can.

Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t have the votes to ratify this dangerous deal if Labor, the Greens and the crossbench Senators unite to block it.

Sign the petition calling for all parties to vote down the TPP and to stand with Australians.

Environmental Law, Food, Mining, Old_Notes

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