Three Mile Island Anniversary



Four legged daddy-long-legger spider photographed on Sunday, July 27, 1996, about 6 ½ miles north-northwest direction. These spiders in a normal, healthy state have 8 legs. Following the accident at TMI, many insects disappeared for many years. In this location, there were no bumble bees, certain type caterpillars, or daddy-long-leg spiders for 10 to 15 years. Pheasant have disappeared as well as hop toads. Carpenter bees disappeared from the location where the 31"dandelion leaves were found, and many dead birds were found there shortly after the accident.
(taken from http://www.tmia.com)


Twenty-eight years ago on 28 March 1979, Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear reactor underwent a partial meltdown, risking the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
All 3 emergency feedwater pumps had been undergoing maintenance for 2 weeks
prior to the accident - a serious violation of regulations.

The reactor was not equipped with a supplementary safety system. Temperatures
inside the reactor vessel climbed above 752°F (400°C). A hydrogen gas bubble
(with oxygen, xenon, argon, etc) reached 30 cubic meters, which, at about 2,000
psi, had the equivalent explosive potential of 3 tons of TNT. On March 30,
52,000 cubic meters of radioactive water were discharged into the Susquehanna
River without permission from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). --
The Truth About Chernobyl, by Grigori Medvedev.

"The 237,013 bottles of saturated Potassium Iodide (KI) (to protect the
public's thyroids from radioactive Iodine 131) solution that were delivered to
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania mostly too late to have been effective if the Three
Mile Island accident had become an uncontained meltdown were stored in secret
in a warehouse, and were never used."

It was not until the third day of the TMI disaster that Pennsylvania's Governor
Thornburgh decided to recommend that pregnant women and preschool children
leave the region within a 5-mile radius of Three Mile Island and to close all
schools within that area.
http://www.ki4u.com/three_mile_island.htm

Background:
http://www.tmia.com

"The sequence of certain events - equipment malfunctions, design related
problems and worker errors - led to a partial meltdown of the TMI-2 reactor
core..." (US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 'The Accident At Three Mile
Island').

Approx. 66 million curies of Iodine 131 was in the reactor at the time of
accident.

"More than half the unit's core melted". - National Geographic, April, 1989.

"It flowed like hot olive oil," - Vice President of the company operating Three
Mile Island, in reference to TMI's uranium fuel. - Edward Kintner, executive
vice president of General Public Utilities (GPU) Nuclear.

GPU denies that TMI releases could have harmed anyone, but the company has
quietly paid at least $15 million in out of court settlements.

Although the nuclear industry repeatedly told the public that Three Mile Island
didn't have a meltdown, about 48 tons of fuel (32%) melted, of which 30 tons
reached the bottom of the containment, having melted a 2x5 ft. hole in the
inner wall of the containment. - New York Times.

"Jack Herbein [MetEd's plant manager] confidently predicted that the amount of
failed fuel was 'considerably under one percent.' [the NRC will allow a
commercial nuclear reactor to operate with 'up to one percent failed fuel.']
...As the fuel-damage debate continued, at least 80 percent of the reactor fuel
had failed." - Mark Stephens, Three Mile Island.

"[the information exchange between the licensee and the NRC included] A 12:15
p.m. suggestion [by the NRC on March 28] that the primary cooling system be
'blown-down' or de-pressurized - a maneuver followed by the utility and
resulting in the reactor core's being uncovered for a second time."- "Three
Mile Island" by Mark Stephens (Random House).

"...a year after it all began, Unit 2 was still not in cold shutdown. In the
reactor 1,500 gallons of water had to be added each day to replace the 1,500
gallons that continued to leak daily into the containment sump. With the
control rods gone - 69 silver and boron rods melted by the intense heat of
March 28, 1979 - only the boron-laden cooling water kept the reactor from
coming back to life. After a year, Unit 2 still relied on a single safety
system in each area of plant operation. And these systems had been running for
a year without maintenance in radiation fields far stronger than they were ever
designed to withstand. If the last cooling pump or the last steam generator
failed, then the accident at Three Mile Island would pick up right where it had
left off in April 1979. Only, this time, there would be no safety systems at
all to save the plant."

Statistics indicate that there was a tripling of Harrisburg's infant death rate
in the three months after the tmi accident. - Harvey Wasserman, Killing our
Own: The Disaster of America's Experience with Atomic Radiation, Dell
Publishing, 1982.

The following journalists, who spent long periods of time in the area covering
the accident, developed cancer and died: Pete Stoler (Time magazine), Bob
(CBS), Paul Cowan (Village Voice), Cathy Machen (ABC), and Jack Pollard (New
Era, Lancaster, PA).

"From the three months of 1979 prior to the accident at Three Mile Island to
the four subsequent months, the infant mortality rate rose in Pennsylvania by
almost sixteen percent, in Maryland by 41 percent. The... official 1979-1980
infant mortality rate for Dauphin County [site of tmi] was 37 percent higher
than the rate for the previous two years; during the same period, the U.S.
infant mortality rate dropped by eight percent. The probability... by chance is
less than one in one thousand." - Deadly Deceit.

2,500 lawsuits have been filed against Metropolitan Edison, alleging that the
accident at TMI has caused a host of radiation induced illnesses (March '91).

The environmental consultants retained by Metropolitan Edison (owner of TMI)
reported: "Based on techniques used in this analysis, dose estimates are
consistent with the release of seven million curies of noble gases in the first
one and one half days and one million in the next three days, and a relatively
small amount thereafter." - Kemeny Commission.

- compiled by Nuclear Liabilities http://www.ki4u.com/three_mile_island.htm


World Water Day, 22 March 2007


A number of problems associated with the nuclear industry are much-
discussed – the repeatedly demonstrated link between "peaceful"
nuclear programs and weapons proliferation, the nuclear waste legacy,
and the small risk of catastrophic accidents.

Less well understood are the various impacts of uranium mines and
nuclear facilities on water resources.

Check out the new paper published today by Dr. Jim Green, National nuclear
campaigner, Friends of the Earth Australia:

http://www.foe.org.au/campaigns/anti-nuclear/issues/water-nuclear/

_____________________________________________________________

'Inhabited' Exhibition viewing in Katoomba

left: Yami Lester, Wallatina Station, SA, 2006.
In 1953, Yami, a Yankunytjatjara man, was ten years old, living at Wallatina Station when Totem One went off, it was the first of a series of atomic bombs that the British and Australian governments were testing during the 50's and 60's at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia and Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coas. he was blinded by the fallout.

middle: Kath Martin, Mt Everard, Alice Springs, NT, 2006.

Kath is a Traditional Owner and Athenge Lhere woman who has been working tirelessley to oppose the Commonwealth radioactive waste dump proposed for the Mt Everest site just 13km from her home, which has sacred Arrernte site within the boundaries.

right: Kevin Buzzacott, Alberrie Creek Station, SA, 2006.

Kevin, an Arabunna elder, has been fighting against Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam) uranium mine since its inception in the 1980's. The mound spring areas, which are dotted all across Arabunna land, are drying up due to the mine sucking up 30-40 million litres of water each day from the Great Artesian Basin
_____________________________

‘Inhabited’ is an exhibition of photographs and stories from remote communities that are affected by uranium mining and the nuclear industry in Australia.

Photographer Jessie Boylan, audio Bilbo Taylor

It can be viewed at the Nuclear Free Ways Public Meeting
Wednesday 11 April, 2007 @ 6pm
Katoomba Masonic Hall, Station Street
(opp, courthouse)
entry and food by donation

For more info on 'Inhabited' Exhibition:
Jessie Boylan:: 0408 448 493 :: jessie[at]sustenance.net.au

for more info on the Nucler Free Ways Public meeting
natalie.lowrey[at]foe.org.au :: 02 4782 1181 :: 0421 356 067
Nuclear Free Ways Public Meeting

Current Actions

Continued lobbying of all 3 levels of government on this issue

Ensuring that the nuclear issue is on the agenda for the federal election 2007

Maintaining links with like-minded groups throughout Australia

Continuing community outreach on nuclear issues through local stalls, letters to the editor and radio interviews

Hosting visit of Nuclear Free Ways, a Friends of the Earth campaign against nuclear waste transportation and the proposed nuclear dump site in NT. (See photos here and here)

Co-hosting the Climate Change Despair and Empowerment Roadshow in Katoomba with Ruth Rosenhek

Participating in the Palm Sunday, Nuclear Fools Day Parade in Sydney

BMNFG stall at the Blues, Roots & Folk music festival


BMNFG stall at the Blues, Roots & Folk music festival

The Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group held a stall at the recent Blues, Roots & Folk music festival in Katoomba. Although we had to contend with rain and mist we were able to engage with local and non-local community at the festival on nuclear issues. This included the possibility of the Blue Mountains being the transportation route for nuclear waste if the proposal for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory is approved.


Circus Solaris at the festival taking a pic of the BMNFG stall

Resources

Oxfam Briefing: Adapting to Climate Change

Impacts of Nuclear Power & Uranium Mining on Water Resources

Nuclear Power: No solution to Climate Change

Yellowcake Country: Australia's Uranium industry


Illusion of Protection
The unavoidable limitaions of safeguards on nuclear materials
and the export of uranium to China

Hot Politics: Testing Times
Friends of the Earth feature on nuclear issues in Australia

__________________________________________________________

Labor facing U-mine turn

ELISSA DOHERTY

March 18, 2007 12:15am
Sunday Mail

LABOR'S long-standing "no new mines" uranium policy is under threat

The state Labor Left has softened its 25-year opposition to uranium mining and is poised to support Premier Mike Rann and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's national push to overturn the party's "no new mines" policy.


But factional leader Mark Butler said a number of significant concerns would need to be addressed before they considered agreeing to any plan to lift restrictions on mining.

Key members of the faction – but minus ministers Pat Conlon, Gail Gago and Paul Caica – met yesterday to determine its position ahead of the national Labor conference next month.

Mr Butler, who chaired the meeting, said the Left wanted assurances that safeguards would be tightened before it would back further uranium mining.

"We remain deeply concerned about matters relating to uranium mining and nuclear energy," he said.

"We would only consider supporting the (Opposition leader Kevin) Rudd position to change the policy if we could be convinced there would be significant tightening of various safeguards regarding proliferation and environmental standards.

"We'd also look for a strong commitment to an investment in renewable energy"

"We haven't seen those commitments yet and once we do, we'll consider our position finally."

He said until they saw the detail of Mr Rudd's proposal "we can't really say yes or no".

Before the forum at Mile End yesterday it was evident factional members were divided on the issue and Mr Conlon's backflip on the Left's traditional stance.

Mr Conlon revealed in a column for yesterday's The Advertiser he supported the export of uranium to China for nuclear power, arguing it was the only way to curb the country's harmful carbon emissions.

Former minister Steph Key said Mr Conlon had "very strong views that don't accord with the Left".

"My opinion is until we have safeguards for uranium mining and wastage we shouldn't be mining it," she said.

Hindmarsh MP Steve Georganas said the existing policy "serves us well". "Until the concerns about waste and proliferation are tackled, I think we should be very cautious about what we do," he said.

Mr Butler said the Left would seek more discussions with federal Labor before the conference and draw up proposals around safeguards.

He said yesterday's meeting was the first "genuine debate" by the Left in many years.

"There are different views within the Left about this," Mr Butler said.

"People around in those hot and testy years 25 years ago when debate was first heard still feel very strongly about this.

"But I think people recognise there are different dynamics at play now than there were 25 years ago."

The "three mines" or as it's sometimes known, "no new mines", policy introduced in 1985 allowed Roxby Downs and two existing mines to go ahead.

But it also prevented more being developed.

If the policy is abandoned at the conference this year, it will open the door to unlimited uranium mining in Australia.

When Do We Meet?

The Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group (BMNFG) usually meet monthly at the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre. To get involved contact: manager[at]kncinc.org.au

For more info contact Dianne on:
02 4782 1117
manager[at]kncinc.org.au

Climate Change Despair & Empowerment Roadshow



Climate Change Despair & Empowerment Roadshow
with Ruth Rosenhek

Kindly supported by the Blue Mountains City Council

MC: Elisabeth Bastian
Sunday 22nd April 2007
1.30pm for a 2pm start
Katoomba Civic Centre,

Katoomba Street


John Seed and Ruth Rosenhek of the Rainforest Information Centre are taking to the road with their Climate Change Despair and Empowerment Roadshow to help catalyse and support a dynamic climate change movement across Australia.

The roadshow, which premiered at Woodford Folk Festival in December 2006, features a multi-media presentation including video footage of Al Gore speaking on the Australian situation. During the 90-minute presentations, Rosenhek and Seed address the hopeless despair that many feel and how this can be transformed into the fuel for empowerment and effective action.

The presentations address the false and "business as usual" solutions being touted by the major political parties such as nuclear power and "clean" coal and suggest where the real solutions may be found (eg. removing Australia's $6.5 billion a year in subsidies to the fossil fuel industries - and supporting instead energy efficiency, solar, wind, geothermal, protecting our forests etc.).

At the presentations, participants are encouraged to join or form Climate Study/Action groups as a vehicle for communities to build resilient networks in which we can support each other in the changes we need to collectively make as well as to encourage each other to lobby government for strong climate change platforms in the lead-up to the state and federal elections.

http://www.climate.net.au

Ruth Rosenhek, MS in Organisational Management, is Director of the Rainforest Information Centre in Lismore (NSW). Ruth is an international environmental activist who organizes and campaigns on behalf of forest protection, land rights and global justice and teaches deep ecology. See: http://www.rainforest.org.au/deep-eco/ruth_photos.html

This event has been endorsed and supported by:
Blue Mountains City Council
Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre
Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group
Friends of the Earth Blue Mountians
SEE-Change

if you would like to endorse the event or would like more info please contact:

Email: natalie.lowrey[at]foe.org.au
Mobile: 0421 356 067
Phone: 02 4782 1181

Nuclear waste headed your way? Keep your community nuclear free.



Nuclear waste headed your way?
Keep your community nuclear free.
Public Meeting & 'Inhabited' Exhibition
Wednesday 11th April 2007 @ 6pm
Katoomba Masonic Hall,
opposite the council buildings

Join Friends of the Earth, the Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group and special guests for presentations and discussion.

Nuclear Free Ways Public Meeting & viewing of ‘Inhabited’ Exhibition

Speakers:
Dr. Jim Green

Dr. Jim Green is the national nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth, Australia, national coordinator of the Beyond Nuclear Initiative, and a member of the Energy Science Coalition. His PhD thesis was on the debates over the replacement of the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.


Dr. Kathleen Sullivan

Enthusiastic disarmament educator, film producer and social scientist with a special interest in (pop) nuclear culture and the perspective of young people.
Kathleen will talk about the international experience with nuclear waste and her experiences with the Yucca Mountain campaign in US.

Michaela Stubbs
Michaela Stubbs is the nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth Melbourne and the Nuclear Free Ways Campaigner, Friends of the Earth.


Exhibition: ‘Inhabited’ An exhibition of photographs and stories from remote communities that are affected by uranium mining and the nuclear industry in Australia. Photographer Jessie Boylan, audio Bilbo Taylor.

The Federal Government switching on the new nuclear reactor in Sydney and proposing to dump radioactive waste in outback Northern Territory would mean that dangerous radioactive waste would be transported through communities across Australia. Friends of the Earth believe that this poses an unacceptable and unnecessary public health and environmental risk to these communities.

The current plans could see over 130 truck loads of nuclear waste transported through the Blue Mountains in the first year with ongoing transports of nuclear waste for the next forty years. Some of the waste will be of a much higher level of radioactivity than was proposed for SA.

Communities standing up for their right to be nuclear free have stopped the imposition of a radioactive dump that was planned for SA. It’s time for NSW to come together and help do it again.

The Federal Governments’ current plans are a crude attempt to solve a complex problem. They have introduced undemocratic legislation in their attempts to impose a nuclear waste dump on unwilling communities in the NT. Radioactive wastes need isolation from people and the environment for hundreds of thousands of years. It’s important that we take the time to get it right.

Supported by:
Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre
Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group
Friends of the Earth


For more info contact:
natalie.lowrey[at]foe.org.au
Phone: 02 4782 1181
Mobile: 0421 356 067

Palm Sunday - Nuclear Fools Day Parade



Palm Sunday - Nuclear Fools Day Parade
Gather Sunday 1st April, 1pm
Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta
for a colourful community parade for
a Peaceful and Nuclear-Free Future.

Palm Sunday falls on April 1 and will be a major national day of anti-nuclear events and actions ... Nuclear Fools Day. Please join in the fun and help spread the word about events in your region.

Excellent Palm Sunday website which is updated regularly:
http://www.NuclearFoolsDay.org

Palm Sunday will help galvanise and organise opposition to the
nuclear push, and send a message to the Labor Party ahead of its
national conference in late April, at which uranium policy will be
debated.

A whopping 58 organisations have endorsed the Palm Sunday events, and
this list is growing every day! It's great to see the diversity of
groups that are part of the alliance - see
http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/endorsers

The website now has fliers and posters which people can download. For
people wanting to adapt the flier with their local details, a
template is available there also for you to adapt. If you would like
a personalised flier, please e-mail details to: azane83[at]gmail.com

To get involved in Palm Sunday activities in Parramatta contact:
Contact: Holly Creenaune, Friends of the Earth, 0417 682 541
holly.creenaune[at]foe.org.au


The website again: http://www.NuclearFoolsDay.org


SOLAR ENERGY
Everlasting environmentally friendly energy
Solar energy has supported life on Earth for millions of years.
It may be used to support life for ever.

Free Lecture with Professor Helmut Tributsch
Monday, 26 March, 6pm
UNSW, The Scientia, Leighton Hall
Nuclear Power & Radioactive Waste:
No Solution to Climate Change
Saturday 31st March @ 4pm
Carrington Hotel Katoomba

Speakers:
Kevin Kamps, Nuclear Information & Resource Servic
in Washington, D.C., USA.

  1. Why the safety and security risks of high-level radioactive waste storage is a major problem for the next 500,000 years.
  2. Why modern reactors are not a solution.
  3. How you could be living downstream from an Aussie nuclear plant
Imogen Zethoven, The Wilderness Society
  1. Where proposed Australian nuclear power stations could be built.
  2. Fallout zones.
  3. Transport routes in Australia.
  4. The clean renewable energy alternatives.
For more information call 0412 141 753 or email amber.jacobus@gmail.com
Organised by the Labor Environment Activist Network
and Blue Mountains Young Labor

'Nuclear Free' Events

April 2007

Palm Sunday - Nuclear Fools Day

Sunday April 1st, 2pm
Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta
more info

Nuclear Free Ways
Public Meeting & 'Inhabited' Exhibition
Friends of the Earth & Dr. Kathleen Martin
Wednesday 11th April, 6pm
Katoomba Masonic Hall
more info

Climate Change Despair and Empowerment Roadshow
Public Meeting with Ruth Rosenhek
Sunday 22nd April, 2pm
Katoomba Civic Centre
more info

_____________________________________

March 2007

BMNFG stall at Blues, Roots and Folk festival
March 16-18, 2007

Solar Energy
Free Lecture with Professor Helmut Tributsch

Monday, 26 March, 6pm
UNSW, The Scientia, Leighton Hall
more info
Why Nuclear is not a solution
Public Meeting with
Kevin Kamps & Imogen Zethoven
Saturday 31st March, 4pm,
Carrington Hotel Katoomba
more info
_____________________________________

News Update 10 March 2007

March 10, 2007 
OWNERS OFFERED 100-YEAR RENT PLAN FOR NUKE DUMP

TRADITIONAL owners have been offered $9 million every five years for 100
years to allow a nuclear waste facility to be built on their land.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,21356937-662,00.html

By Nigel Adlam

TRADITIONAL owners have been offered $9 million every five years for 100
years to allow a nuclear waste facility to be built on their land.

The Federal Government money would go to the Northern Land Council for
distribution among the 395 owners of Muckaty Station, north of Tennant
Creek.

The offer was put by the land council at a meeting on Muckaty Station.

The meeting became heated as supporters and opponents of the plan
clashed.

The Northern Territory News was told some of the opponents - dubbed
"dissidents" by the land council - were threatened with violence.

But the alleged victims said yesterday they had been told not to reveal
what happened at the meeting or they would not be paid their share of
the Federal Government royalties.

One traditional owner said: "Those in favour were screaming at the
'dissidents'. It got very ugly. Many people were shocked at the anger
and threats of violence."

Land council chairman John Daly, who addressed the meeting, could not be
contacted last night.

Nobody lives permanently at Muckaty, with the majority of the land's
traditional owners living at Tennant Creek. The rest live at Elliott.

They go to Muckaty only for business meetings, ceremonies and hunting.

The Federal Government will carry out an environmental assessment at
Muckaty if traditional owners support the nuclear waste facility.

The land council has been asked by some traditional owners to put
forward a second site -- near Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula.

Land council chief executive Norm Fry said in a written statement:
"Privacy and confidentiality requirements mean that the NLC is not
prepared to comment regarding matters discussed at the meeting.

_______________________________________________________

March 10, 2007
MEDIA RELEASE
Secret dump dealing must stop


Revelations of the perverse secret dump dealings of the Federal
Government's radioactive waste club highlights why we need an open,
transparent process on this issue Senator Trish Crossin says.

"Why has Minister Julie Bishop allowed the offer to Muckaty Traditional
Owners of $9 million every five years for a hundred years to be hidden
behind confidentiality and commercial in confidence excuses?" Senator
Crossin said.

"If the process isn't farcical why keep it a secret including refusing
to answer questions about it in Senate estimates hearings.

"Why target some of the poorest, most vulnerable people in Australia
with a secret deal instead of a transparent process which might generate
other expressions of interest from communities elsewhere?

"The Minister is going for the expedient political quick fix.

"Her departmental officers, whose job is to dump the waste, are the only
outsiders being able to present a view on the dump to Traditional
Owners.

"Even then it seems just a select group of the Muckaty Traditional
Owners have been welcome at the meetings so far.

"Dissenting voices amongst traditional owners should be heard, as well
as the balancing view from an organisation such as the Australian
Conservation Foundation.

"This radioactive dump and the caskets of intermediate level waste will
be with us much longer than one hundred years.

"Labor calls for an open, transparent process to decide the fate of this
waste" Senator Crossin said.

Media Contact: Senator Trish Crossin & Chris Hallett
04 3981 7050

Chris Hallett
Office of Senator Trish Crossin - Darwin NT
Tel: (08) 8931 0830 / Mob: 04 3981 7050 / Fax: (08) 8931 0513
chris.hallett@aph.gov.au / www.trishcrossin.com.au

News Update

JUNE 2007

PM supports uranium enrichment investigation
Prime Minister John Howard is supporting an investigation into
domestic uranium enrichment, after it was revealed the Government was
in talks with businesses looking to establish a facility in Australia.

Switkowski: No chance for nuclear without support
With an election expected to be dominated by environmental and energy
policy and climate change, the Government's anointed nuclear champion
is pushing for Canberra to underwrite Australia's nuclear industry.

Nuclear doesn't have power to halt global warming.
Nuclear power would only curb climate change by expanding worldwide at the
rate it grew from 1981 to 1990, its busiest decade, and keep up that
rate for half a century, a report said this week.

Uranium to Russia
AUSTRALIA is set to strike a controversial nuclear deal with Russia.

Green groups steps up climate change campaign
Ten green groups will today launch the largest community climate
change campaign in Australia targeting federal MPs.

Company plans uranium plant pitch to Fed Govt
Nuclear Fuel Australia (NFA) says it will make a submission to the
Federal Government proposing a new uranium enrichment plant in
Australia.

SA Premier in dark on uranium enrichment submission
Premier Mike Rann says South Australians have a right to know if any
nuclear enrichment plant is considered for the state.

Uranium enrichment not top priority, says Switkowski

The head of Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation,
Ziggy Switkowski, says uranium enrichment is feasible in Australia
but that nuclear power should be a higher priority.

No sites mooted in uranium enrichment report, says author
One of the authors of a submission for a uranium enrichment plant in
Australia says there is no firm plan on possible locations.
Democrats demand inquiry into uranium enrichment
The Democrats say the Senate or an independent body should hold an
inquiry into uranium enrichment and other nuclear issues.

Company's nuclear plans 'shock' Garrett
The Federal Opposition says the Government should rule out uranium
enrichment facilities for Australia.

Uranium plant proposed
A PROPOSAL is being prepared for the Federal Government on building a
uranium enrichment plant.

Scientists reveal secret 1980s nuclear work
The ABC has learned that uranium was secretly being enriched at
Sydney's Lucas Heights reactor 20 years ago.

Warning on nuclear deal
THE Howard Government should be wary of striking a new uranium deal
with Russia because of that country's "dangerous disregard" for
treaties and human rights.

Liberal MP starts anti-nuclear petition against her own Govt
The federal Liberal Member for the south-eastern New South Wales
seat of Gilmore, Joanna Gash, has started a petition against her
own Government on nuclear power.

Blowing in the wind
NEITHER "clean coal" nor nuclear power can significantly reduce
Australia's greenhouse gas emissions before 2025, writes Mark
Diesendorf.

Carbon market to cut need for nuclear: Rudd
KEVIN Rudd insists a market for carbon emissions can achieve Labor's
target for reducing greenhouse gases without the need for nuclear fuel.

10 June Worse than Chernobyl: 'Dirty timebomb' threatens Europe.
A decaying Russian nuclear dump inside the Arctic Circle is threatening
to catch fire or explode, turning it into a "dirty bomb" that could
impact the whole of northern Europe, including the British Isles.

Anti-nuclear stance becomes law
PREMIER Alan Carpenter will introduce legislation this month to the
WA Parliament banning a nuclear industry in WA.

Navies to watch out for whales
WHALE sightings could shut down key US-Australia war games being held
off the Queensland and Northern Territory coasts this month.

No foreign waste for Muckaty nuclear dump
The Federal Science Minister, Julie Bishop, has restated that there
are no plans to establish a dump for overseas nuclear waste at
Muckaty Station, a remote site north of Tennant Creek in the Northern
Territory.

Premier opposed to nuclear power
The Premier Paul Lennon has repeated his opposition to
nuclear energy in Tasmania.

Russia, Australia could sign new nuclear power treaty in Sept.
MOSCOW, June 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Australia have coordinated a
new nuclear energy agreement and may sign it in September, Australia's
nuclear security chief said Tuesday.

`David v Goliath' Indigenous nuclear campaigner wins national environment award
Veteran Aboriginal activist Kevin Buzzacott has been awarded the Australian Conservation Foundation's 2007 Peter Rawlinson Award for two decades of work highlighting the impacts of uranium mining and promoting a nuclear free Australia.

Minister rejects nuclear dump bid
LIBERAL delegates have urged the Howard Government to set up a
worldwide nuclear dump as Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane accused
the states of hypocrisy, warning that one was keeping nuclear waste
in a hospital car park.

Nuclear push gains momentum
THE Federal Government will consider dismantling legal barriers to
the development of nuclear power before the election, the Minster for
Industry, Ian Macfarlane, said yesterday.

Referendum on nuclear power
PREMIER Alan Carpenter will hold a referendum if the Federal
Government tries to override state laws and establish a nuclear power
plant in WA.

Street talk -- Uranium mine
Would you support the development of a uranium mine in Tasmania?

Uranium hopes soar
THE push is on to mine uranium in central Tasmania with a Western
Australian miner testing historic high-grade ore south of Rossarden.

MAY 2007

PM facing fight over nuclear powers
The New South Wales Premier, Morris Iemma, has reacted angrily
to the Prime Minister's proposal to take over state laws which
ban the development of nuclear power industry


Canberra's nuclear power play against states
The Federal Government is seeking legal advice on whether it can
force the states to allow the construction of nuclear facilities,
including power stations, inside their borders.

Pine Gap trespass trial starts
FOUR anti-war protesters face up to seven years in jail for breaking
into the top-secret Pine Gap defence satellite tracking base.

ANSTO reiterates nuclear waste dump safety
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
says
the nuclear waste dump proposed for Muckaty Station in the
Northern
Territory will be completely safe.

NT nuke waste deal a joke: Garrett
Labor's environment spokesman Peter Garrett says all Northern Territorians
should feel let down by the consultation process for a nuclear waste site
at Muckaty Station.

Clan allows nuclear dump for $12m
ABORIGINAL elders in a remote Northern Territory community
have agreed to accept $12 million for allowing Australia's first
national nuclear waste dump to be built on their land.

Nuke dump process not a joke, says Bishop
The Federal Science Minister has rejected the Northern Territory
Government's claims that the consultation process for the nuclear
waste site at Muckaty Station was a joke.

Nuke site deal
MUCKATY Station near Tennant Creek has been
nominated by the Northern Land Council (NLC) as the site for the
national nuclear waste facility.

Jabiluka owners deny mining deal
JABILUKA'S Aboriginal owners in the Northern Territory yesterday
slapped down mining giant Rio Tinto's optimism for restarting uranium
mining at the site by reaffirming their opposition to the project.

Owners sink Rio's Jabiluka hopes
Rio Tinto's hopes that its uranium subsidiary Energy Resources of
Australia would soon secure Aboriginal approval for the development
of the $50 billion Jabiluka deposit in the Northern Territory have
been dashed, sending ERA shares down 5 per cent.

Nuclear power a turn-off: Flannery changes stance

Rio big talk on Jabiluka backfires as Mirrar people say no
RIO TINTO'S hard sell this week on its rising hopes for a near-term
clearance from the Mirrar people to develop the $50 billion Jabiluka
uranium desposit in the Northern Territory has backfired on the mining giant
Rudd defends uranium u-turn
Labor's plan to expand uranium mining but oppose nuclear power
is not hypocritical,Labor leader Kevin Rudd says.

ALP: No U-Turn - No expansion of uranium mining
Saturday April 27th, the 400 delegates to the Australian Labor Party
National Conference will vote to discard or retain the long-standing
NO NEW Uranium Mines policy. Join the public lobby to stop an expansion
of uranium mining in Australia.
Radiation leak inquiry
THE Defence Department is conducting an investigation and review of
its use of radioactive tritium in military equipment after
contamination of an army barracks in suburban Brisbane.

Environmentalists Do Not Support Nuclear Power: Critique of James
Lovelock and Patrick Moore


APRIL 2007

Nuclear dead end
WE can only hope the link between uranium exports and weapons
proliferation gets due attention from the ALP, writes Richard
Broinowski.

Proliferation must shape the nuclear debate
Uranium is a moderate export earner, but a big principle in the Labor
Party, Anthony Albanese writes.

Rudd faces uranium challenge
KEVIN RUDD'S plan to overturn the Labor Party's long-held ban on new
uranium mines may be scuppered by attempts to impose stringent waste
and proliferation conditions on any new mines.

Uncle Kev's devotees celebrate credence for a clear water revivalist
A maverick social activist will be honoured in absentia today.
"UNCLE Kevin" Buzzacott is unlikely to catch his own benefit
concert today at the Northcote Uniting Church Hall. In fact, none
of his Melbourne friends can say where he is, but that's not an
unusual state of affairs.

Protesters target Sydney reactor opening
Anti-nulcear protesters plan to target Prime Minister John Howard
on Friday at the opening of a new reactor at Australia's only
nuclear facility.

Uranium theft terror warning
A TERRORISM expert yesterday warned that radioactive material stolen
from the Olympic Dam site could have been used to paralyse the city
in an attack if it had not been recovered.

Sustainable energy has powerful future
By Mark Diesendorf
OPPONENTS of renewable energy from the coal and nuclear industries,
and their political supporters, are disseminating the fallacy that
renewable energy cannot provide base-load power to substitute for
coal-fired electricity.

Limited scrutiny on nuclear projects
Controversial nuclear facilities can be approved by Federal
Government with only limited scrutiny, according to a respected lawyer.

ERA output downgrade to boost price of uranium
The uranium price, already at $US95 ($117) a pound, could be set for
further gains this week after Energy Resources of Australia said
production from its Ranger mine in the Northern Territory would be
flat this year and 25 per cent to 35 per cent lower next year

'Mini Grand Canyon' lure for students
THE Olympic Dam open-cut mine expansion will be a "mini Grand Canyon"
to lure thousands of visitors each year, Premier Mike Rann says.

States to retain powers on uranium mining, says Rudd



MARCH 2007


Herald Sun: Owners offered 100-year rent plan for nuke dump

Media Release: Secret dump dealing must stop


Sunday Mail: Labor facing U-mine turn

Giant EU Energy Flag
(Friends of the Earth Europe climate change action)


World Water Day, 22 March 2007







Links

NUCLEAR ISSUES
Australian Conservation Foundation

Dr. Jim Green
Energy Science
Friends of the Earth Australia
Friends of the Earth Melbourne
Friends of the Earth Adelaide

Greenpeace Australia Pacific
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Irati Wanti
Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW)
The Mirarr Gundjeihmi Clan
Novocastrians Against Nuclear

Nuclear Fools Day
Nuclear Task Force

No-Waste Alliance

The Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia (ANAWA)
The Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT)
The Sustainable Energy and Anti-Uranium Service (SEA-US)


LOCAL FRIENDS
A Year In A Day
A Year in a Day started as a personal blog in
response to governmental unwillingness to set
targets for carbon emissions.

AKEMI
Akemi is a non-profit, DIY, music, arts and activism venue/space
located in Medlow Bath Blue Mountains - roughly Two hours west of
Sydney.

Blue Mountains Conservation Society
A voluntary group of around 880 members who help to conserve the
World Heritage Blue Mountains region in eastern Australia.


Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute
An independent and collaborative organisation that brings together research,
local communities, and government regulatory agencies in conserving the
natural and cultural heritage of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage
Area (GBMWHA)

Citizens Climate Campaign
The Citizens Climate Campaign Committee is a small group of people,
all members of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, and all with
long histories of significant environmental and social activism.


Health & Harmony
Blue Mountains Natural Healing and Spirituality Directory

Togs Place
Website of an Unembedded Australian Radio Man

more to come ...









Our Aims

To oppose the transportation of Nuclear Waste

To support World’s Best Practice of on-site waste storage


To lobby for safe non-reactor production of medical isotopes


To inform our community on nuclear issues

To support the campaign against radioactive waste repository (dump) in NT

To support the campaign against a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights

To support other campaigns opposing the nuclear industry

Our Achievements

Screened Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth and David Bradbury's Blown' In The Wind

Hosted the Children of the Gulf War Exhibition, launched by Helen Caldicott

Ongoing letters, press releases and radio interviews in local media

Lobbied Blue Mountains City Council to : Reinstate Nuclear Free Zone Signs on GW highway; Include Anti nuclear notation in their weekly Gazette page (Communicator); Produce 2 large Nuclear Free Zone banners for display on overhead bridges

Lobbied State Member, Bob Debus, to take leadership on this issue at State level

Submission to the State Parliamentary Inquiry into transportation of Nuclear Waste

Hosted visit of German anti-nuclear activists

Who Are We



We are a group of local residents and community workers, who meet at the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, to oppose the transportation of nuclear waste through the mountains.