One-billion-tree planting to cut emissions : Gusti Quotes SBY
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 06:17 WIB | National | | Viewed 460 time(s)
Bogor, W Java (ANTARA News) - Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said on Tuesday the government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent through a one-billion-tree planting campaign.
The trees would be planted on 1.6 million hectares of land nationwide, he said.
"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono himself wants 1 billion trees planted across Indonesia in 2010. The move is aimed at achieving the government`s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 26 percent," he said.
Gusti said his office would always monitor the realization of the program in each region until the number of trees planted reached one billion.
He called on regional governments to ensure the success of the program by launching one-man-one-tree campaigns. If a province had a population of 50 million there would be 50 million new trees.
"We will monitor the program and record any tree-planting activities in regions to see if the number of new trees has reached 1 billion," he said.
He said the campaigns were effective to cut greenhouse gas emissions because trees functions as emission absorbents.
The current increase in greenhouse gas emissions was contributed not only by greenhouse effect but also by deforestation, he said. (*)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Candu Might Cango
Blogger's Note: Who knew Toshiba and G.E. were/are nuclear giants?! I didn't.
OTTAWA — The federal government is now expected to sell its entire stake in the Candu reactor division of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., a move that could have profound implications for Canada's nuclear industry and billions of dollars in plant refurbishments across the country.
When the government announced in December that it was formally inviting bids for the Candu division, federal officials said Ottawa was open to a range of investment options, including a 100 per cent takeover. A spokesperson at Natural Resources Canada says that remains the government's official position.
But stakeholders who have been briefed by investment bank Rothschild, which is overseeing the bidding process, have been told the government has now decided to unload its entire stake.
"We had always been led to believe . . . that this would be some form of public-private partnership with some government control," said Michael Ivanco, vice-president of the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates, a union that represents AECL engineers and scientists.
Without the government retaining at least some ownership, it's difficult to see how the Candu technology will survive, said Ivanco. Companies such as French-owned AREVA have expressed interest in acquiring the division, but it's more likely they would look to sell their own reactors, rather than continue to develop next-generation Candu technology.
"It's quite likely that it would die. I can't imagine a scenario a 100 per cent private Canadian player can compete with the big players in this game," said Ivanco.
The government first revealed last summer that it planned to split AECL and sell off the Candu division. The sale will not affect AECL's Chalk River, Ont., labs, which produce medical isotopes.
The government concluded the division was simply too small to compete with global nuclear giants such as AREVA, Toshiba and General Electric.
Some industry insiders argue that government involvement is key to building a globally competitive nuclear technology firm. They point to companies such as AREVA, which is majority owned by the French government, and AtomEnergoProm, which is controlled by Russia.
"The nuclear industry is very big, it's very strategic, and it's very long term. And typically, you find some government backstopping that activity," said Neil Alexander, president of the Organization of Candu Industries, which represents firms that supply Candu reactors in Canada and abroad.
The government has pumped $434 million into the development of next-generation Candu reactors since 2003. However, it appears the government has grown weary of bankrolling AECL, which has received $1.74 billion in public funding since 2006.
The Candu division lost $331 million in its last fiscal year, even after receiving $124 million in parliamentary appropriations.
A 100 per cent private takeover would make things interesting for several big nuclear-plant refurbishments, since the Candu division includes the group that manages those projects. In Canada, AECL has been contracted to repair the Bruce Power A plant in Ontario, the Gentilly-2 in Quebec, and the Point Lepreau in New Brunswick.
Neither the government nor Rothschild would comment on the bidding process. But sources say Rothschild has developed a short list of bidders and has opened a "data room" with confidential financial information for the bidders.
The Conservatives recently introduced legislative amendments that would give cabinet the authority to sell part or all of AECL without seeking further parliamentary approval. The changes were included in a bill that implements budget measures, meaning the opposition couldn't block the move without triggering an election.
Unless the government falls in the next few weeks, the bill should pass before the House breaks for the summer on June 9. Alexander says his organization is concerned the government is trying to push through the sale without adequate consultation.
"Yeah, it has to be done quickly, but they need to understand the issues, and they need to find the right partners to allow the industry to sustain itself," he said.
OTTAWA — The federal government is now expected to sell its entire stake in the Candu reactor division of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., a move that could have profound implications for Canada's nuclear industry and billions of dollars in plant refurbishments across the country.
When the government announced in December that it was formally inviting bids for the Candu division, federal officials said Ottawa was open to a range of investment options, including a 100 per cent takeover. A spokesperson at Natural Resources Canada says that remains the government's official position.
But stakeholders who have been briefed by investment bank Rothschild, which is overseeing the bidding process, have been told the government has now decided to unload its entire stake.
"We had always been led to believe . . . that this would be some form of public-private partnership with some government control," said Michael Ivanco, vice-president of the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates, a union that represents AECL engineers and scientists.
Without the government retaining at least some ownership, it's difficult to see how the Candu technology will survive, said Ivanco. Companies such as French-owned AREVA have expressed interest in acquiring the division, but it's more likely they would look to sell their own reactors, rather than continue to develop next-generation Candu technology.
"It's quite likely that it would die. I can't imagine a scenario a 100 per cent private Canadian player can compete with the big players in this game," said Ivanco.
The government first revealed last summer that it planned to split AECL and sell off the Candu division. The sale will not affect AECL's Chalk River, Ont., labs, which produce medical isotopes.
The government concluded the division was simply too small to compete with global nuclear giants such as AREVA, Toshiba and General Electric.
Some industry insiders argue that government involvement is key to building a globally competitive nuclear technology firm. They point to companies such as AREVA, which is majority owned by the French government, and AtomEnergoProm, which is controlled by Russia.
"The nuclear industry is very big, it's very strategic, and it's very long term. And typically, you find some government backstopping that activity," said Neil Alexander, president of the Organization of Candu Industries, which represents firms that supply Candu reactors in Canada and abroad.
The government has pumped $434 million into the development of next-generation Candu reactors since 2003. However, it appears the government has grown weary of bankrolling AECL, which has received $1.74 billion in public funding since 2006.
The Candu division lost $331 million in its last fiscal year, even after receiving $124 million in parliamentary appropriations.
A 100 per cent private takeover would make things interesting for several big nuclear-plant refurbishments, since the Candu division includes the group that manages those projects. In Canada, AECL has been contracted to repair the Bruce Power A plant in Ontario, the Gentilly-2 in Quebec, and the Point Lepreau in New Brunswick.
Neither the government nor Rothschild would comment on the bidding process. But sources say Rothschild has developed a short list of bidders and has opened a "data room" with confidential financial information for the bidders.
The Conservatives recently introduced legislative amendments that would give cabinet the authority to sell part or all of AECL without seeking further parliamentary approval. The changes were included in a bill that implements budget measures, meaning the opposition couldn't block the move without triggering an election.
Unless the government falls in the next few weeks, the bill should pass before the House breaks for the summer on June 9. Alexander says his organization is concerned the government is trying to push through the sale without adequate consultation.
"Yeah, it has to be done quickly, but they need to understand the issues, and they need to find the right partners to allow the industry to sustain itself," he said.
Labels:
nuclear power
Potluck Picnic
Family Potluck Picnic - Sun May 8.10
Flora Doehler | May 5, 2010 at 12:25 pm | Categories: Bear River, Rebekah Music Hall, community event, gardening
Celebrate Mother's Day with family and friends. Bring a food item to share, your own dishes, and a blanket or chairs. Explore the improvements underway at the park and stay to help out with weeding the gardens if you like! Sunday May 9, 2010. 1 - 3 pm at the Bear River Peace gardens on the waterfront.
Flora Doehler | May 5, 2010 at 12:25 pm | Categories: Bear River, Rebekah Music Hall, community event, gardening
Celebrate Mother's Day with family and friends. Bring a food item to share, your own dishes, and a blanket or chairs. Explore the improvements underway at the park and stay to help out with weeding the gardens if you like! Sunday May 9, 2010. 1 - 3 pm at the Bear River Peace gardens on the waterfront.
Labels:
Bear River
Low Lobster Prices
NS: Low prices “killing” fishermen, says union head
By Sherry Martell, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Truro Daily News, May 5, 2010
[TONEY RIVER, NS] — Increased lobster landings early in the season could spell disaster for Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Strait fishermen concerned about dropping prices.
While most of the fishing fleet was grounded by strong winds on Tuesday, the third day of the season, those that braved the choppy waters were paid $3.25 for canner-size and $3.75 for market-size lobster.
“I think P.E.I. is to blame for the price we are receiving right now,” said Darryl MacIvor, Lismore fisherman and president of the local Maritime Fisherman’s Union.
He said fishermen in the neighbouring province are creating a glut on the market, bringing in catches so large processors can’t keep up with the supply.
“They are calling our buyers and offering to sell it to them at a lower price than what they are paying us because they can’t handle the volume going in over there,” he said. “That is the reality. Fishermen here are concerned about price and the possibility that they may not be able to sell their lobsters to buyers at the end of the week.”
Another issue compounding the concern is traditionally prices drop following Mother’s Day when lobster is in great demand.
During opening week in 2009 fishermen were paid $4.50 per pound for market lobsters and about $7 per pound the previous year.
MacIvor said fishermen in the Lismore area landed between 800 to 1,200 pounds of lobster on Monday following a double soak, or two-day set in the Strait.
Fishermen from Big Island east to the Canso Causeway have voluntarily reduced the number of traps used this season from 300 to 275.
They have also voluntarily increased the minimum size of canner lobsters one millimetre to 74 millimetres to promote conservation. The minimum size of a market-size lobster is 81 millimetres.
“We knew this low price was coming so we voluntarily increased the size because if we’re not getting paid for the little ones, why bring them in?” said the president.
Catches are up from last year all along the coast from Ballantyne’s Cove to Wallace but MacIvor said the low price is “killing” fishermen who are landing catches less than 300 pounds a day.
“It’s better than they have been getting but the price is really hurting them,” he said. “It’s disastrous.”
By Sherry Martell, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Truro Daily News, May 5, 2010
[TONEY RIVER, NS] — Increased lobster landings early in the season could spell disaster for Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Strait fishermen concerned about dropping prices.
While most of the fishing fleet was grounded by strong winds on Tuesday, the third day of the season, those that braved the choppy waters were paid $3.25 for canner-size and $3.75 for market-size lobster.
“I think P.E.I. is to blame for the price we are receiving right now,” said Darryl MacIvor, Lismore fisherman and president of the local Maritime Fisherman’s Union.
He said fishermen in the neighbouring province are creating a glut on the market, bringing in catches so large processors can’t keep up with the supply.
“They are calling our buyers and offering to sell it to them at a lower price than what they are paying us because they can’t handle the volume going in over there,” he said. “That is the reality. Fishermen here are concerned about price and the possibility that they may not be able to sell their lobsters to buyers at the end of the week.”
Another issue compounding the concern is traditionally prices drop following Mother’s Day when lobster is in great demand.
During opening week in 2009 fishermen were paid $4.50 per pound for market lobsters and about $7 per pound the previous year.
MacIvor said fishermen in the Lismore area landed between 800 to 1,200 pounds of lobster on Monday following a double soak, or two-day set in the Strait.
Fishermen from Big Island east to the Canso Causeway have voluntarily reduced the number of traps used this season from 300 to 275.
They have also voluntarily increased the minimum size of canner lobsters one millimetre to 74 millimetres to promote conservation. The minimum size of a market-size lobster is 81 millimetres.
“We knew this low price was coming so we voluntarily increased the size because if we’re not getting paid for the little ones, why bring them in?” said the president.
Catches are up from last year all along the coast from Ballantyne’s Cove to Wallace but MacIvor said the low price is “killing” fishermen who are landing catches less than 300 pounds a day.
“It’s better than they have been getting but the price is really hurting them,” he said. “It’s disastrous.”
Labels:
lobster Nova Scotia PEI
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