Renewables

FoE Submissions to the Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel “Cycle”

Friends of the Earth Adelaide have been busy the last few months preparing submissions to the Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The issues papers are on the Royal Commission website along with many others.

Issues Paper 1: Exploration, Extraction and Milling

FOE Issues Paper 1: Mining Expansion Submission Final July 2015

Appendix 2 Pt Augusta Statement

Issues Paper 2: Further Processing and Manufacturing

FOE Issues Paper 2: Enrich-Final

Issues Paper 3: Electricity Generation

FOE Issues Paper 3: Electricity Generation Final July 2015

Appendix 1: Nuclear Power – Still Not Viable Without Subsidies

report by the Union of Concerned Scientists

Issues Paper 4: Management, Storage and Disposal of Waste

FOE Issues Paper 4: Nuclear Waste Submission

Appendix 1 Pt Augusta Statement

CFC member Philip White’s individual submission addressing Issues Paper 3: Philip White Submission

New website/enewsletter – One Step Off the Grid

FOE members and friends who are interested in renewable energy and off grid living might be interested in this new website being set up by the excellent RenewEconomy – One Step Off the Grid. Enjoy!

Introducing our new sister site – One Step Off The Grid

“RenewEconomy is proud to announce the launch of One Step Off The Grid, our sister site that will focus on the consumer side of the energy market, and how the uptake of rooftop solar, battery storage and other technologies will usher in a dramatic transformation of our energy system”.

“Australia is at the cutting edge of this revolution. Already, it has more “pro-sumers” – consumers that produce at least some of their own electricity needs – per head of population than any other country. The advent of battery storage will offer even more choice. For some, it will mean the ability to leave the grid.

“But what are the social, economic, and business impacts of this transformation? How do consumers navigate their way through the complexity of tariffs, policy changes, and new technologies, and make the choice that suit their needs? Do we really want suburban households to quit the grid? Will the utilities evolve their business models?

“That is why we have created One Step Off The Grid. It is a free website and will have a weekly newsletter (click here to sign up for the newsletter), although it will be updated daily.

“It will provide information to consumers – in households, business and communities – on all of the latest developments, such as these new projections on commercial solar uptake, and the latest on solar, battery storage, tariff and policy changes.

“It also will focus on stories of what families, businesses, communities and townships have done, and are doing”.

Make the switch to a renewable energy future

Take advantage of this opportunity to support Conservation SA when switching your electricity provider to environmentally friendly Diamond Energy. Friends of the Earth Adelaide are a member group of Conservation SA and supportive of the good work they do.

Conservation SA is excited to partner with Diamond Energy, an electricity retailer supporting the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and new renewable generation projects. We’ve done the research and believe your best option in SA is Diamond Energy.

By making the switch to an energy company that is passionate about renewables and protecting the Renewable Energy Target, you’re helping to keep our state a world leader in renewables. And by switching to Diamond Energy now, you are also supporting Conservation SA.

For every Conservation SA supporter who signs up through this offer, Conservation SA receives a small contribution. These funds will go towards our work advocating for renewables in SA!

The switch to Diamond Energy is easy – it can be done online and only takes a couple of minutes.

Q&A’s

Why should I switch my electricity retailer?

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) has helped drive the generational shift towards rooftop solar and other forms of renewable energy in Australia. But the Dirty Three retailers AGL, Origin and Energy Australia are clinging on to the old ways of fossil fuel energy generation and are lobbying for the (RET) to be dismantled. The Renewable Energy Target is bringing down the electricity price and encouraging investment in renewable energy whilst at the same time creating thousands of clean technology jobs. In other words, it’s working.

By supporting energy retailers who are working to protect the RET, you’re helping to transform Australia into the renewable energy powerhouse it should be.

*** The Dirty Three Energy retailers – June 2014 Greenpeace

Can I switch?

Anyone who is connected to the electricity grid can switch away from the Dirty Three energy retailers (they are lobbying to dismantle the Renewable Energy Target) to an energy retailer who is working to supporting the RET and with stronger environmental credentials.… Read more >>

FoE at Students of Sustainability next week

Fair Food Adelaide’s Kim Hill is delivering two workshops at next week’s Students of Sustainability conference at Flinders University – “The End of Agriculture” on Thursday 10th and “Edible Weed Walk” on Satuday 11th. Clean Future Collective’s Dr Philip Smith is delivering a nuke free workshop on Friday with FoE Australia’s Dr Jim Green.

Come and say hi at our FOE stall on Saturday – incorporating Fair Food Adelaide, March Against Monsanto and the Clean Futures Collective with a focus on the nuclear royal commission.

Details here.

students of sustainability pic

Introducing our new CANE campaigner!

We are very pleased to announce that Nectaria Calan has accepted the position of Anti-Nuclear/Pro-Renewables Campaigner with the Clean Futures Collective’s Campaign Against Nuclear Expansion.
Nectaria will work with us on a part time basis over the next six months. She holds a Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) and has previously worked with us as an Anti-Nuclear Coordinator. She brings strong skills and experience in grass roots activism and media.
Nectaria is passionate about environmental issues, and strongly believes that the social and environmental problems the nuclear industry creates far outweigh those it purports to solve.  She was an organiser and spokesperson for the Lizards Revenge event, a week long protest-festival held at the gates of the Olympic Dam mine in July 2012 to raise awareness and protest the mine, its expansion, and the broader impacts of uranium.
Nectaria’s responsibilities will include:
  • – tracking activities of the SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission
  • – coordinating FoE responses to the Royal Commission
  • – providing the initial point-of-contact for media
  • – encouraging volunteers to join FoE CFC campaign
  • – coordinating volunteer activities
  • – liaising with other groups working on related issues
Members, donors and friends can keep up with the CANE campaign by signing up to our elist to receive meeting minutes – email robyn.wood@foe.org.au