Journalism highlights of the week :
*Australia's revolving door - from politician to mining executive and back again: how miners control Australian government policy.
*The horrendous truth about just how big a mess nuclear corporation EDF is in.
Yes, I do get tired of all the doom and gloom - about the nuclear industry - both in its harmful effects, and in its dismal future prospects. Meanwhile - when I start looking at renewable energy news - well, there's miles of it! And, not to be discounted, even where I live, I see new solar panels popping up in the neighbourhood every week!
So - AUSTRALIA
- Renewables boom after 'two-year drought'.
- Solar thermal power push to keep jobs in Port Augusta, South Australia. Could renewable power be Port Augusta’s saviour? Port Augusta community keenly concerned about renewable energy versus nuclear industry . Adelaide City Council is seeing green.
- Western Australia's largest solar installation at Perth shopping complex. Renewable energy micro-grid plannned for Kalbarri, Western Australia.
- Victorian town Newstead set for 100% renewable energy within 5 years.
- Sapphire Wind Farm to bring huge benefits to Australian Capital Territory's economy.
- Tasmania needs to ramp up its wind and solar power. Tasmania's great opportunities in renewable energy.
- Solar energy to the grid: New South Wales' Moree solar farm in operation. AGL proceeding with Silverton wind farm project in far west NSW.
- Gas company APA joins throng to spend on renewable energy projects.
- Continued pro nuclear attacks on renewable energy, despite Royal Commission's findings.developments.
- Australia at risk of missing its 2020 renewable energy target.
POLITICS. From politician to mining executive and back again: how miners control Australian government policy. Greens senator Larissa Waters attacks 'corrupting influence' of mining industry – video. Australian govt now admitting no true threat from 'vigilante' green groups? New climate brings hope to Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP - FOR LUCAS HEIGHTS TRASH Submissions [due by 11 March]on proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility. Will the Australian govt impose a Lucas Heights nuclear waste dump on a South Australian community? Communities fight Turnbull government nuclear waste dump plan. Oman Ama community group to Canberra to reject nuclear waste dump plan. Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg would not meet Communities from outback sites designated for nuclear waste dump. Australia's Labor and Liberal Parties unite in dismissing community concerns on nuclear waste dumping.
INTERNATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Death throes of the nuclear industry as renewables move towards 80 percent penetration in the U.S.
- An unforgettable year for solar power in USA.
- Global Boom in Wind Power, led by China and USA.
- UK govt urged to lower tax on energy efficient homes - report.
- Cornwall, UK, gets wind farm without any govt funding- community energy!
- Solar power powers up; London - with World’s biggest floating solar farm.
- Dramatic improvement in solar cell technology.
- In 10 years - 100% renewable energy is doable.
Climate Change Champion - Leonardo Di Caprio.
USA Design flaws in America's nuclear reactors: NRC engineers call for shutdown, if not fixed. ‘Uncontrollable radioactive flow’ from Indian Point nuclear station into the Hudson River. Radioactive leak just one of many nuclear problems at Indian Point, USA. The end of the nuclear age - foreshadowed as Indian Point nuclear station leaks radioactivity. The danger of flying nuclear materials between UK and USA. Russia & USA Pointing Nuclear Missiles at Asteroids - bonanza for Lockheed Martin etc. High costs and construction delays cast gloom over nuclear industry. The Price of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power
JAPAN - Fukushima. TEPCO Lied To The World About Fukushima Meltdowns. Court case will unveil 'the hidden truths' of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. 'Keep pro nuclear signs' as reminder of Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. How solar energy can turn lives around in nuclear-devastated Fukushima. 'deep freeze' of soil wall at Fukushima plant. TEPCO now burning thousands of radioactive work clothes. As far away as Tokyo, highly radioactive black sand from Fukushima meltdowns is found. Radioactive contamination still a very real crisis for Fukushima fishermen. Very few return to "re-opened" town in Fukushima.
Strontium 90 - Japanese Preserving Deciduous Teeth Network.
UK. Huge rally in Britain against Trident nuclear missile system. UK govt to spend £642 million developing new submarines for Trident nuclear missiles. Russia to test launch ballistic missiles from nuclear-powered submarines. Kim Jong-un orders nuclear weapons readied for use 'at any time' India about to get a nuclear-armed submarine. New USA nuclear missile test.
FRANCE. The horrendous truth about just how big a mess nuclear corporation EDF is in. Francepromises more compensation to Pacific nuclear test victims. France prepared to extend life of nuclear reactors: energy minister. France sued by Geneva over dangerous and polluting nuclear station. France's nuclear giant AREVA in deep financial mess - again!
GERMANY's nuclear utilities will have to transfer nuclear clean-up cash by 2022.
IRAN Big win for Rouhani and Reform in Iran elections. International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran is abiding by nuclear agreement.