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The facts about SA energy renewables

September 6, 2018

An excellent article on Sept 4th by in the Guardian:

It’s now clear that Taylor will continue Josh Frydenberg’s campaign of half truths and politicisation. When Taylor faced the media (sort of) for the first time in his new role last Thursday, he spoke forcefully of South Australia’s “failed experiment” with renewables.

The truth is that South Australia is an international model of success for energy transition. That such a statement goes so far against the orthodoxy shows the depravity of our national energy conversation – bear with me:

Exhibit E: And while we’ve been regaled with endless stories about blackouts, the truth is that SA has only been caught short of generating power for 1.9 “load minutes” this decade (0.00004%), down from 16.8 load minutes last decade (0.00032%).

— read the full article at https://www.theguardian.com/

Clean Futures, Climate, Old_Notes, Renewables

Maritime Union of Australia says No to Nuclear Ports in SA

August 20, 2018

From the MUA (SA) Media release August 8th:

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is continuing its long-running stance against the shipping of any nuclear material in or out of South Australia.

Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Port Pirie were named as potential nuclear waste ports in three “Site Characterisation, Technical Reports” released by the Federal Department of Industry in July.

MUA South Australian Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn said MUA members are long time opponents of Nuclear Waste Storage in Australia and led the charge against the former SA Government’s International Waste Dump Royal Commission and consequent citizens’ jury.

“The Turnbull Government’s recent declaration that sites in Kimba and Flinders Ranges could be used to store intermediate-level nuclear waste is incredibly concerning,” Newlyn said.

“The MUA is further alarmed that the Federal Department of Industry has identified Whyalla and Port Pirie – where our members currently work – as potential ports to unload this toxic and unsafe material.

“The MUA, along with the mayors of Port Pirie and Whyalla, have been blindsided by this announcement yet the safety of port workers and the communities through which this hazardous material is transported is critical.”

 

The full media release on the MUA website.

Adelaide FoE Notes

Feds name Nuclear Ports

August 20, 2018

On August 2nd, David Noonan wrote:

The Federal gov. has named Whyalla or Port Pirie as a potential required Nuclear waste transport Port, to requisition for waste transit – on to either of the Kimba or Hawker nuclear dump sites under consideration
(Fed’s have now also named a new Eyre Peninsula commodities Port – if built, and even proposed Port Lincoln as a potential nuclear waste port to the Kimba sites if a dump were to go ahead there).
Please see a new two page Briefer  “Federal gov. names SA ports to impose nuclear waste shipments” – this one is written quoting the Hawker transport chapter released the other week. The Kimba sites transport chapters have similar quotes & issues. ( Briefer prints as a double sided A4 info hand out sheet )
As you can anticipate, this imposed Nuclear ports aspect of the Federal dump plan will cause rising controversy and likely difficulties & division in Whyalla & in Port Pirie – just as it is doing at Kimba and around Hawker…

Adelaide FoE Notes, FoE, Nuclear

Nuclear Waste ballot delayed

August 20, 2018

The ballot of residents in Kimba and Hawker, designed to guagesupport for teh proposed dump, has been delayed. It was to start Monday Aug 20th, but will be deferred until arguments from Traditional Owners are heard in the Supreme Court

The Federal Government has short-listed two sites near Kimba and one near Hawker as possible locations for the waste facility.
Postal votes to help determine whether the two communities would accept the waste dump have been put on hold after legal action was launched in the Supreme Court by the Barngarla indigenous people.
The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation argues that native title holders who live outside the municipal borders of Kimba should be entitled to vote in the postal ballot. The case is scheduled to be heard by the full court this Thursday.

Adelaide FoE Notes, FoE, Nuclear