Nuclear inquiry sparks industry campaign to lift moratorium   :(

December 1, 2019
Sydney Morning Herald
   

The Minerals Council is ramping up its long-run campaign to remove Australia’s ban on nuclear power, claiming new market research shows majority community support for the technology.

Federal Parliament banned nuclear power in 1998, and the moratorium has remained in place with bipartisan support ever since.


A nuclear power plant in Cattenom, France. The Minerals Council is mounting a campaign to lift the nuclear ban in Australia.   :(

The Morrison government has asked the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Energy to investigate the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia.

According to the Minerals Council of Australia, one prerequisite for nuclear power, community support, could be achieved if the public are properly informed about the technology.


The Minerals Council commissioned JWS Research to sample Australians’ support for nuclear power. The survey of 1500 people found 40 per cent support nuclear power and 33 per cent oppose it.

The support for nuclear energy rose to 47 per cent when respondents were presented a range of positive and negative facts about the technology.

“The more people learn about it, the greater the support for nuclear energy,” said Minerals Council chief executive Tania Constable.

She said the survey showed politicians that Australians wanted nuclear to be considered in their future energy mix.

“This should give them the courage to act. Any government serious about addressing climate change must be looking at nuclear, the zero-emissions foundation of electricity systems across the globe.”

Focus groups identified the top four positive and negative factors that influenced people's opinions on nuclear power. These factors were then put to the survey respondents.

The factors for nuclear energy were delivery of emissions-free power around the clock, Australia’s vast landmass could safely house reactors in remote locations, increased uranium mining, and nuclear power plants could bring jobs growth, and Australia already permits uranium exports - which could be utilised at home.

The factors against nuclear energy were the potential for human error to cause accidents at a reactor or waste facility, previous catastrophic failures such as Three Mile Island and Fukushima, concerns of health impacts for people living near reactors or waste facilities, and the risk that uranium exports could be used for weapons.   :o

Energy analyst Lazard’s estimates the current cost of energy production for nuclear is more expensive than renewables.   :(


The levelised cost of solar power around the world for solar power is about $60 per megawatt hour, $42/Mwh for wind, $145/Mwh for coal, and $220/Mwh for nuclear.

Nuclear power production costs could come with new technology. Small to medium sized reactors are proposed as potential cost savers, but there are no commercial examples in operation.

Government contributions would likely be required to underwrite private investment in a nuclear power plant in Australia. The cost of building Britain’s first nuclear plant in a generation, Hinkley Point, has blown out to more than $42 billion. It is contracted to supply the government with power at $176/Mwh.

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis submission to the inquiry believes nuclear is one of the most expensive power sources.

“The construction of nuclear power plants has proven to be an economic disaster for the corporations involved and a massive waste of public monies, given the plants are all entirely reliant on government financial subsidies,” IEEFA said. 

The Minerals Council submission said nuclear’s zero emissions power generation had to be incorporated into Australia’s future energy mix.

We dont need it - one thing australia has a lot of is sun

Spot

We won't have to wait long for safe, Thorium power:


http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1519823686/0#0

It's very odd because nuclear power is the only power which is carbon neutral
And spot can talk about solar but how are you going to have electricity at night
Maybe if battery storage improves it will be possible but at the moment we have the worst of all worlds

We have to pay for incredibly expensive wind turbines and solar to be setup but we also have to have coal fired stations fully man ready 2GO in case we have a day with no wind and no sunshine

Small nuclear reactors which could be kicked online when the wind isn't blowing in the sun as in shining would be a very sensible carbon-neutral alternative
It's quite odd that the left don't understand this

The factors against nuclear energy were the potential for human error to cause accidents at a reactor or waste facility, previous catastrophic failures such as Three Mile Island and Fukushima, concerns of health impacts for people living near reactors or waste facilities, and the risk that uranium exports could be used for weapons.   :o

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 4:50am:

We dont need it - one thing australia has a lot of is sun Spot

Correct.

There is a lot more hydrogen in the Sun than there are fissile isotopes in the Earth.

aquascoot wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 6:10am:

It's very odd because nuclear power is the only power which is carbon neutral

Link?

The Coalition will do the bidding of it's masters "The Minerals Council of Australia"???

>:( >:( >:(

So the argument against using gen4 reactors is incidents with gen1 reactors.

The left don't want nuclear power because they associate it with capitalism .

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 4:50am:

We dont need it - one thing australia has a lot of is sun Spot

Dare I say it?

Spot on!  :)

Gordon wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 8:17am:

So the argument against using gen4 reactors is incidents with gen1 reactors. The left don't want nuclear power because they associate it with capitalism .

The argument is it is too expensive and the waste needs to be safely and securely stored for thousands of years....Have you factored in these costs to your idiotic support of the Minerals Council ya dickhead....This is a push by the Minerals Council to make Australia the nuclear waste dump of the world....I nominate Aqua's slum for the first waste dump???

::) ::) ::)

https://www.wiseinternational.org/nuclear-monitor/808/australian-push-become-worlds-nuclear-waste-dump


Quote:

Nuclear waste: residents near proposed dump told to sign draconian code of conduct Code bans residents from taking notes or recording any part of meetings without prior agreement

>:( >:( >:(

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/08/nuclear-waste-residents-near-proposed-dump-told-to-sign-draconian-code-of-conduct

The Government WILL start putting more Nuclear Reactors in Australia.
The notion that it will benefit the 'Energy' crises is what they will sell to the Public.
What the PRICE will be, will be a proliferation of Nuclear 'Arms' in Australia.
A Drone can take pretty photos, but it can also deliver a bomb.
Under the guidance of the USA. Australia (in the Region of Sahul) will help protect the World towards Peace, with the help of South America also, the Middle-East will finally lead the way with the unification of Islam & Israel (PEACE!) as 'IstarI' (is-ta-ri)... the 'Star of Peace between the Two Pillars of Heaven'.

Anyway, you're gonna get Nuclear Reactors wether you like it or not.

Jasin wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 9:12am:

The Government WILL start putting more Nuclear Reactors in Australia. The notion that it will benefit the 'Energy' crises is what they will sell to the Public. What the PRICE will be, will be a proliferation of Nuclear 'Arms' in Australia. A Drone can take pretty photos, but it can also deliver a bomb. Under the guidance of the USA. Australia (in the Region of Sahul) will help protect the World towards Peace, with the help of South America also, the Middle-East will finally lead the way with the unification of Islam & Israel (PEACE!) as 'IstarI' (is-ta-ri)... the 'Star of Peace between the Two Pillars of Heaven'. Anyway, you're gonna get Nuclear Reactors whether you like it or not.

Bullshit....Without bi partisan support the nuclear industry will not get finance due to the risk and uncertainty posed by our 3 year election cycle....If Labor do not support it it will not happen!!!

::) ::) ::)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/29/nuclear-power-australia-not-realistic-decade-ziggy-switkowski

Phil, YA DICKHEAD

New generation of nuclear reactors could consume radioactive waste as fuel

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/02/nuclear-reactors-consume-radioactive-waste

Yeah nah, it's not going to happen.

Way too expensive, way too dangerous, way too long to come on stream anyway even if it did get the go-ahead.

Maybe 10 to 15 years to get one built and running?

Solar and Wind are far cheaper and quicker to get going.  8-)

Gordon wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 9:22am:

Phil, YA DICKHEAD New generation of nuclear reactors could consume radioactive waste as fuel https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/02/nuclear-reactors-consume-radioactive-waste

An article over 7 years old with no indication the technology is valid or reliable....It aint gonna happen for the reasons I stated ya dickhead!!!

::) ::) ::)

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 9:23am:

Yeah nah, it's not going to happen. Way too expensive, way too dangerous, way too long to come on stream anyway even if it did get the go-ahead. Maybe 10 to 15 years to get one built and running? Solar and Wind are far cheaper and quicker to get going.  8-)

When Sydney and Melbourne are 10m each how will everyone recharge their electric cars at night?

Gordon wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 10:00am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 9:23am: Yeah nah, it's not going to happen. Way too expensive, way too dangerous, way too long to come on stream anyway even if it did get the go-ahead. Maybe 10 to 15 years to get one built and running? Solar and Wind are far cheaper and quicker to get going.  8-) When Sydney and Melbourne are 10m each how will everyone recharge their electric cars at night?

Via stored renewable energy.  8-)

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 10:06am:

Gordon wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 10:00am: Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 9:23am: Yeah nah, it's not going to happen. Way too expensive, way too dangerous, way too long to come on stream anyway even if it did get the go-ahead. Maybe 10 to 15 years to get one built and running? Solar and Wind are far cheaper and quicker to get going.  8-) When Sydney and Melbourne are 10m each how will everyone recharge their electric cars at night? Via stored renewable energy.  8-)

Stored where? Batteries aren't clean.

Proponents says Gen 4 reactors will be built to be immune to meltdowns. They will have far lower carbon emissions than even wind and solar, along with vastly greater reliability and energy production capabilities. Best of all, they can be built on a massive scale in the next few decades, fast enough to meet our collective challenge of lowering carbon emissions

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/national/david-staples-fear-not-new-nuclear-reactors-can-solve-canadas-climate-change-crises

Gordon wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 10:12am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 10:06am: Gordon wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 10:00am: Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 9:23am: Yeah nah, it's not going to happen. Way too expensive, way too dangerous, way too long to come on stream anyway even if it did get the go-ahead. Maybe 10 to 15 years to get one built and running? Solar and Wind are far cheaper and quicker to get going.  8-) When Sydney and Melbourne are 10m each how will everyone recharge their electric cars at night? Via stored renewable energy.  8-) Stored where? Batteries aren't clean.

A hell of a lot cleaner than nukes.  ;)

Is the silly old BlackDay a closet Greeny ?  Or is he just parroting some GetUp! propaganda ?

The Greenies do NOT want nuclear power because it is cheap and reliable and CAN supply the HATED INDUSTRY that the Greenies want to close down in Australia.

The Greenies want the useless unreliable renewable rubbish because it cripples Australia's electricity supply and makes electricity very expensive.  Just look at the wreckage in Sth Australia with is unreliable renewable rubbish totally dependent on the link to the Victorian coal fields.

How does France get away with years of safe reliable nuclear power ?

And how many of USA's nuclear powered subs and aircraft carriers have blown up ?

The PERFECT solution for Australia is a nuclear power station in Sth Aust together with a nuclear dump there and supplied by Sth Aust's vast supply of uranium.

UnionsACT proudly joins large community coalition against nuclear energy  :)
Unions ACT.  September 2019

UnionsACT has joined with a broad coalition of faith, union, environmental, Aboriginal and public health groups, representing millions of Australians, who has come together to send a clear message to federal politicians that our energy future is renewable, not radioactive.

The groups have released a shared statement in response to the federal parliamentary inquiry into prospects for nuclear power in Australia. Public submissions to the inquiry close today.

For many decades, UnionsACT has proudly stood with nuclear-free campaigners, and we oppose Australia creating a domestic nuclear energy industry. UnionsACT also calls for the complete abolition of all nuclear weapons.
Endorsing Organisations   :)

Trade unions

Australian Council of Trade Unions

Australian Education Union

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Australian Services Union

Communication Workers Union

Electrical Trades Union

Independent Education Union (Vic – Tas)

Maritime Union of Australia

National Union of Workers

Tasmanian Unions

Unions ACT

Unions WA

Unions SA

Unions NT

United Voice

United Firefighters Union

Victorian Trades Hall Council

Environment groups   

Australian Conservation Foundation

Arid Lands Environment Centre

Conservation Council SA

Conservation Council WA

Environment Centre NT

Environment Victoria

Environs Kimberley

Friends of the Earth Australia

Gene Ethics Network

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Mineral Policy Institute

National Toxics Network

Nature Conservation Council NSW

Queensland Conservation Council

Wilderness Society

Indigenous groups

Australian Nuclear Free Alliance

Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation

No Dump Alliance

Health groups 

Doctors for Environment Australia

Medical Association for the Prevention of War

Public Health Association of Australia

Faith groups   

Uniting Church of Australia (Vic – Tas)

Sisters of Mercy

Jesuit Social Services

Josephite (SA) Reconciliation Circle

Climate / renewable / anti-nuclear / peace groups

AidWatch

Australian Youth Climate Coalition

Beyond Nuclear Initiative

Beyond Zero Emissions

Climate Action Monaro

Climate Action Newcastle

Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle

Darebin Climate Action Now

Green Institute

Hornsby Shire Climate Action

Independent and Peaceful Australia Network

Lithgow Environment Group

Madden Sainsbury Foundation

Nuclear Free NSW

Parramatta Climate Action Network

Renew (Alternative Technology Association)

Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group

Smart Energy Council

Sustainable Energy Now (WA)

Sutherland Shire Environment Centre

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

350.org

The idiotic union/GetUp! propaganda parrot BlackDay is squawking so loud he nearly fell off his perch. What a dill who wouldn't know what day it is.

The silly old coot is sucked in by some Greeny garbage.

philperth2010 wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 9:55am:

Gordon wrote on Dec 2nd, 2019 at 9:22am: Phil, YA DICKHEAD New generation of nuclear reactors could consume radioactive waste as fuel https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/02/nuclear-reactors-consume-radioactive-waste An article over 7 years old with no indication the technology is valid or reliable....It aint gonna happen for the reasons I stated ya dickhead!!! ::) ::) ::)

The BN-800 is a Generation IV Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor that has been in operation since 2016:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BN-800_reactor

A Thorium Molten Salt Fast Reactor to be built by Thorcon. Thorcon estimate they can build such plants at a cost of US$1 per watt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfsOYzOpYRw

They are planning on building a 500 MW unit in Indonesia:

PAL Indonesia, Thorcon sign deal to build $1.2 billion nuclear reactor

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-nuclearpower/pal-indonesia-thorcon-sign-deal-to-build-12-billion-nuclear-reactor-idUSKCN1UD0D0

In my opinion, this is the best Molten Salt Reactor design I've come across:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ou_xswB2b0

These guys reviewed Mark Jacobson's proposal for a 100% renewable grid in the United States. They estimate it would cost US$20 Trillion, versus US$7 Trillion for nuclear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2KNqluP8M0

Renewables are more resource intensive as well. A lot of water:

The spiralling environmental cost of our lithium battery addiction

"It’s a relatively cheap and effective process, but it uses a lot of water – approximately 500,000 gallons per tonne of lithium. In Chile’s Salar de Atacama, mining activities consumed 65 per cent of the region’s water."

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/lithium-batteries-environment-impact

A lot of copper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCLgdnZI0Zs

A lot more resources in general:

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56a45d683b0be33df885def6/1528476129337-SO3E3DYFOT7LTOYCUYZY/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kL3VKmwKI3leYB51VJjLFB8UqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8N_N4V1vUb5AoIIIbLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKcgK5SGg9Ovb1yloBBOHcruw_mYLfAhRzzgArFCB07Dw0L8n4JypuoE5Tg6Wg5Oyvs/Material+Throughput.001.jpeg

Now to blow the lying propaganda parrot Blackday out of the water. What a twit.

It is sort of funny how the Greenies' Climate Change SCAM is being used to get uranium off the ground.


Uranium support gains strength amid nuclear ban
December 2, 2019News  Vanessa Zhou

https://www.australianmining.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Honeymoon-DJI_0050-1200w-e1569467720878-604x270.jpg
An aerial view of the Honeymoon site. Image: Boss Resources.

Four in 10 Australians want the ban on nuclear power lifted, according to polling by JWS Research.

The polling shows that 39 per cent of people support the use of nuclear power in Australia, in contrast to 33 per cent of people in opposition.

This polling was part of a Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) research, which involved 1500 Australians and focus groups in Sydney and Melbourne. More than half of those surveyed were unaware nuclear power was banned in Australia.

The MCA has been advocating the use of safe, zero-emissions nuclear power in recent years.

“Climate change is real and as global energy demand increases, so does the need to diversify our power supplies and reduce emissions through technology,” MCA chief executive Tania Constable said.

“Nuclear energy is safe, reliable and affordable. It provides around 10 per cent of the world’s electricity with zero emissions.”

Australia has the world’s largest uranium deposits, but the use of nuclear power is prohibited in two acts of parliament, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.

“Any government serious about addressing climate change must consider nuclear in its energy mix,” Constable said.

Boss Resources is one Australia company that is working to revive its uranium project.

Its South Australian based-Honeymoon project has entered the definitive feasibility study stage of a restart program as the uranium market was heading towards recovery.

Uranium produced from Honeymoon will be exported to countries meeting Australia’s uranium policy, namely those observing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and other safeguards requirements.

https://www.australianmining.com.au/news/uranium-support-gains-strength-amid-nuclear-ban/