The final report from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has been delivered to the South Australian Government for its consideration. Former Royal Commissioner Kevin Scarce AC CSC briefed the Premier Jay Weatherill, State Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet today after formally handing the report to the Governor of South Australia Hieu Van Le AO on…
Day 37 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission held its final Public Session into Topic 16 – high level waste storage and disposal – today. Supplementary sessions, held on Monday, Tuesday and today, focused on the specific details of high level waste storage and disposal, and taken additional evidence from five international experts in…
Day 36 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission continued to investigate Topic 16 – high level waste storage and disposal – today. Experts from Switzerland and Belgium appeared via video link this afternoon, discussing the safety cases of the proposed Swiss geological disposal facility and the facility at Onkalo, Finland (pictured) Dr Felix Altorfer,…
Day 35 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today returned to the topic of high level waste storage and disposal, with witnesses from Switzerland and Belgium appearing via video link. Having recently returned from visits to both countries, the Commission is continuing to investigate the safety assessments and licensing associated with proposed sub-surface storage…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has announced it will next week hold additional public sessions on safety of nuclear waste disposal. It also confirmed today it received more than 170 direct responses to its Tentative Findings – as well as a number of others that expressed an opinion for and against – since the…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has just returned from a five day visit to Switzerland and Belgium, having met with regulators and organisations involved in high level waste disposal research and development in both countries. The Royal Commissioner Kevin Scarce and a senior member of staff attended several locations to further study nuclear waste…
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commissioner Kevin Scarce will travel to sites in Switzerland and Belgium to conduct further analysis of storage facilities for used nuclear fuel. The research will broaden the Commission’s understanding of specific details of safety regulation and licensing associated with proposed sub-surface storage facilities in those countries. It will supplement the data…
Teams from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission have completed five days of public meetings across South Australia following the release of the Commission’s Tentative Findings earlier this week. Meetings were held in Adelaide, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Mount Gambier, Oak Valley, Ceduna, Umuwa, Coober Pedy and Renmark. “It was pleasing to…
TENTATIVE FINDINGS RELEASED AHEAD OF FINAL REPORT IN MAY 2016 FIVE-WEEK CONSULTATION PERIOD COMMENCES TODAY WITH PUBLIC MEETINGS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIANS TO HELP REFINE, INFORM AND IMPROVE THE FINAL REPORT ADELAIDE, 1100 ACDT MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2016: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has reached an important milestone with the release of its Tentative…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission will meet a significant milestone next month when it releases its Tentative Findings in Adelaide on Monday 15 February 2016. The Commission will then undertake a week-long public information program, visiting key regional South Australian cities and towns including Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Mt Gambier, Coober…
The Commission has now substantially completed its Public Sessions and has commenced the process of preparing its Tentative Findings, which it aims to release on Monday, February 15, 2016. The Commission is now analysing data and the evidence gathered over the four months of hearings, public submissions and other research. Following the release of the Tentative…
Day 34 review The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today completed its final public session for the year. Topic 11 – “Effects and threats of radiation” – was revisited after the witness was unable to appear last week. Mr Steve Fisher from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority gave evidence via video link from the UK at…
Day 29 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission heard evidence on three topics today, covering security and non-proliferation risks, investment in nuclear infrastructure and climate change. The first witness was Dr Darryl Murphy, Partner at KPMG’s Power and Utilities Deal Advisory in the UK – on Topic 18, Financing and investment in nuclear infrastructure.…
Day 30 review The potential for research and development in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as the opportunities for education and employment in the sector, were covered in today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Experts from within the science field were the first witnesses. Director of the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit…
Day 32 review The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission public sessions covered a range of topics today, returning to Topics 18, 1 and 20. First witness was Professor Aidan Byrne, CEO of the Australian Research Council, a Commonwealth entity which advises the Australian Government on research matters and administers the National Competitive Grants Program for…
Day 33 review The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today investigated its final topic, with a focus on Topic 21 – Regulatory Oversight. The first witness was Donald Hoffman, CEO of Excel Services Corporation, USA, which provides specialist advice and support services to nuclear facilities in the US and internationally with respect to operations, engineering,…
Day 26 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has today heard evidence from the UK on policies and approaches to siting a deep geological facility Alun Ellis, Science and Technology Director at Radioactive Waste Management Ltd, was the witness for Day 2 of Topic 16 – High level waste storage and disposal – RWM…
Day 28 review: The issue of infrastructure required for commercial nuclear operations was investigated today when Topic 18 began in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Independent Consultant Mark Higson gave evidence from the UK, providing his experience of working in the UK government on energy market reform, privatisations, economic regulation and asset management. Prior…
Day 23 review: Today’s public session explored the challenges posed by the transport of radioactive materials (including uranium and waste) including the availability of appropriate shipment services within and from South Australia. The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission held five sessions today, including hearing evidence from two expert witnesses from overseas. The first hearing was…
Day 27 review: Two topics were covered in today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, with the conclusion of high level waste storage and disposal witnesses and the start of investigations into security and non-proliferation risks. The first session involved Dr Mark Nutt and Natalia Saraeva, from the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, USA. Formed in…
Day 18 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission investigated a new territory today, drilling down into the specifics of Topic 12 – Insuring against nuclear accident. The afternoon session included two experts in the field, including a senior executive from ANSTO and the London-based Nuclear Risk Insurers Ltd. Both covered the nature of the…
Day 19 review: Community engagement and the sharing of information were the key themes under discussion at today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission public session. Topic 13 – Community engagement and nuclear facilities (general principles) heard evidence from experts in the field. The first witness was Professor Daniela Stehlik, from the Australian National University, who…
Day 21 review: Proper and best-practice engagement with indigenous communities was further discussed during today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission public hearing. Topic 13 covers “Community engagement and nuclear facilities – engagement with Aboriginal communities”. Today’s witnesses explored current processes both within Australia and internationally. The topic will again be investigated on Monday, November 16…
Day 31 review: Today’s session explored the potential for developing a nuclear education and research program in South Australia, if further participation in the nuclear fuel cycle were pursued. The witness was Dr Adrian Paterson, Chief Executive Officer Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Dr Paterson has a wealth of experience in national and…
Day 17 review: The design and structure of the PRISM reactor was covered in detail during today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission evidence. Dr Eric Loewen, from GE Hitachi, provided the Commission with an overview of how the design of the small modular reactor has progressed in the USA and how the technology may be…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is continuing its engagement with the community by attending business forums organised by the South Australia’s Economic Development Board. The forums aimed to identify direct and in-direct business opportunities that might be created by Australian businesses as a result of potential increased activity in the nuclear fuel cycle. Data…
Day 20 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission returned to Topic 7 today, investigating the “expansion of exploration and mining”. The first witness was Toro Energy’s managing director Dr Vanessa Guthrie. Toro Energy Limited is an Australian uranium company based in Perth. From its establishment in 2006 until 2013, Toro’s exploration operations were concentrated…
Day 22 review: A panel discussion about lessons learnt from past activities on Aboriginal lands in South Australia dominated today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission proceedings. The 90 minute panel discussion involved seven representatives from the Maralinga Tjarutja and Yatala communities, with a focus on creating effective relationships with Aboriginal people and how to best…
Day 16 review: The effects and threats of radiation was the key topic investigated in today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission public session. Topic 11 covered a range of views, with a particular focus on the risks and possible effects posed by radiation on human health and the environment. The first witness was international expert…
Day 25 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today focused on high level waste storage and disposal – Topic 16. Electricity generation from nuclear fuels results in highly radioactive spent fuel which needs to be carefully managed. This public session explored the current and proposed approaches to this waste. The first witness was Dr Thomas…
Day 14 review: The 2011 accident at the Fukushima Kaiichi nuclear power plant was the focus of today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission’s investigations. Details about the cause of the accident, the key findings of subsequent investigations and ongoing health and environmental impacts were explored. Dr Stephen Solomon, from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear…
Day 13 review: Nuclear reactor safety and regulation was the theme today, as the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission moved to Topic 9. Witnesses from Australia and the USA provided evidence on developments in reactor safety features and advancement in regulations and designs. The day’s first witness was Dr Gordon Edwards, from the Canadian Coalition…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is returning to the Riverland next week to hold another community information session and discuss the progress and achievements of the Nuclear Royal Commission to date. The Berri public meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 September at the Berri Town Hall Council Chambers and will commence at 6pm…
The Commissioner of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR (Rtd) detailed two key milestones today with the announcement of the Expert Advisory Committee and the first of the Commission’s Issues Papers. The Expert Advisory Committee comprises of eminent leaders from academia, law, industry and the…
Day 11 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission moved to Topic 7 today, seeking information from a range of experts in the field of exploration and mining. Witnesses from two major mining companies – Heathgate Resources and BHP Billiton – appeared before the Commission, along with three senior officers from the SA Environmental Protection…
Day Seven review: Today’s second session on “Low Carbon Energy Generation Options” heard from five witnesses covering topics such as nuclear power, renewable resources, energy policy, carbon capture and SMART reactor technologies. Witnesses from the USA, Korea and Australia provided evidence to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. The first witness was Dr Arjun Makhijani, from…
The first public forum of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission will be held in Mount Gambier on Monday 20 April – the formal start of a 12 month state-wide community engagement program. The public meeting to be held at City Hall at midday is an opportunity for community, industry and other interested stakeholders…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is travelling to the Riverland tomorrow to hold the next of the Commission’s community meetings. The public meeting will be held in Berri on Tuesday 5 May and will commence at 12.00pm at the Berri Town Hall. The public meeting is an opportunity for members of the community…
Day Nine review: Small modular reactors were covered in detail in today’s third session on “Low Carbon Energy Generation Options” at the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Holtec International vice president Thomas Marcille provided evidence via videolink, concluding the Commission’s investigations into its Topic 4. Mr Marcille has been involved in the development of Holtec’s small…
Today the South Australian Governor issued letters patent to appoint Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR (Rtd) to lead the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. The Royal Commission will undertake an independent and comprehensive investigation into South Australia’s participation in four areas of activity that form part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Those…
Prominent economist Professor Ross Garnaut AO has been named as one of the first witnesses to appear before the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Professor Garnaut heads a list of experts who will be called by the Commission when it begins hearing evidence at public sessions next month. Commissioner Kevin Scarce announced today the first…
Day 15 review: The topic of “Climate change and energy policy” was revisited today with the calling of witness Professor Tom Wigley, from the University of Adelaide. “Climate change and energy” was the first topic investigated by the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, and has so far heard from nine witnesses. Professor Wigley has more…
Day Three review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has today heard from several experts from the electricity sector, covering topics such as current power use through to future electricity generation options. The topic covered today was the National Electricity Market – Structure and Operation. The first witness was David Swift, Executive General Manager, Corporate Development…
Day Ten review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has today held its first regional Public Session, hearing evidence in Port Pirie. The session explored the environmental impact of such activities within the State, and the lessons learned, with a particular focus on extraction and processing of radioactive minerals at Radium Hill and at Port…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is travelling to the Far North and Far West of South Australia over the next week to undertake a series of meetings and public forums with Aboriginal representatives and community leaders. Royal Commissioner Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN (Rtd) said that when the Royal…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is continuing its commitment to engage with regional and remote South Australians by visiting key communities and meeting stakeholders during July and August. Regional Engagement Manager, Mr Jon Bok, is travelling to a number of country locations and undertaking community information sessions to provide interested members of the…
Day Four review: South Australia’s geology was put under the microscope today at the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission in Adelaide. In the first public session to be held in the Commission’s office, witnesses were questioned on a range of topics covering the geological formations within SA and overseas, as well as the state’s geophysical data and…
Day Six review: The options for future power – including nuclear, renewables, thermal and solar – were covered today in the first public session on “Low Carbon Energy Generation Options”. In a full day of hearings for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, five witnesses covered a range of topics including nuclear reactor designs and…
Day One review: South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today heard evidence from expert witnesses in the field of climate change and energy policy. The Commission’s first witness, prominent economist Professor Ross Garnaut AO provided evidence on: Climate change predictions and effects International and national response and targets Opportunities in future energy policy. Second…
Day Eight review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today heard from key consultants involved in preparing tenders on the estimated costs and benefits of nuclear activities in SA. The workshop sessions incorporated a series of presentations on the socio-economic analyses being undertaken at the request of the Royal Commission to estimate the costs and benefits…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has just returned from inspecting the world’s newest nuclear power plant development comprising four major reactors. The project is the first nuclear power plant to be built in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is expected to be complete and producing power within 10 years – significantly faster…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has this week confirmed that Port Pirie will host the first of its regional public sessions. The Commission, which is in the process of investigating the risks and opportunities of South Australia further engaging with the nuclear fuel cycle, will hold the session in Port Pirie on Thursday, October…
Day 24 review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission today further investigated the current and proposed approaches of dealing with low and intermediate level waste. Four witnesses provided evidence on managing nuclear waste, including hearing details from Belgian, Finland and Spain, where low and intermediate level waste facilities operate. First witness was former Senior Public…
Day Two review: The second session of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has included hearing evidence on energy trends and energy generation technologies. Speakers were addressing Topic 1 – Climate Change and Energy Policy. First witnesses for the day were David Swift and Nicola Falcon, from Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Among topics they…
Day 12 review: Adding value to South Australian radioactive minerals was the topic investigated in today’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission public sessions. Three of the four witnesses appeared via videolink from overseas, offering the Commission an insight into international experiences, technology and current developments. Professor Frank von Hippel, Princeton University, USA, appeared via video…
This week the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission will hold three public forums in Adelaide where the Royal Commissioner will discuss the opportunities and risks of the nuclear fuel cycle in South Australia, explain the process for the community to make a submission to the Royal Commission and open the floor to questions and…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is travelling to Port Augusta and Port Pirie to hold the next of the Commission’s community meetings. The Royal Commission will first visit Port Augusta on Thursday 30 April where a community meeting will be held at 5.30pm at the Institute Theatre. The next day on May 1,…
The further processing and manufacture of radioactive and nuclear substances and the generation of electricity are the focus of the final two Issues Papers released today by the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Royal Commissioner, Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN (Rtd), announced the release of the final two Issues Papers…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission will today continue its program of visits to regional and remote South Australia by travelling to Leigh Creek today to conduct meetings with local industry representatives, as well as holding an open public forum at 11.00am that day. Royal Commissioner Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC…
Day Five review: South Australia’s geology and hydrogeology was the focus of investigations today at the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission in Adelaide. Groundwater management and the impact of mining developments, was covered during the morning session, as the Commission concentrated on Topic 3 – the geology and hydrogeology of South Australia. Witnesses Neil Power…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has awarded four tenders to firms to produce detailed data on a range of key issues related to the nuclear fuel cycle. The Commission confirmed today the consultancies had been appointed to deliver quantitative assessments of the lifecycle costs of investment in the three parts of the nuclear fuel…
Whether South Australia might participate in the management, storage and disposal of nuclear and radioactive waste is the focus of the second Issues Paper released today by the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. Royal Commissioner, Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR (Rtd), announced the release of the second Issues Paper titled…
South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has named its first witnesses who represent a broad cross-section of expertise on climate change and energy policy. Commissioner Kevin Scarce will open the first public session at 9am on Wednesday, September 9 at The Science Exchange Building. The public sessions – which will be held throughout September,…
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is aware of a number of reports made in the media concerning the requirement on the submission coversheet for a Justice of the Peace to witness an oath or affirmation before a written submission is provided to the Commission. The coversheet requires an oath or affirmation to be…