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148-543: In February 2015, Premier Jay Weatherill announced that the Government of South Australia would be undertaking a Royal Commission to investigate South Australia's potential future role in the nuclear fuel cycle. Former South Australian Governor Kevin Scarce was appointed as Royal Commissioner. The Terms of Reference for the commission were set following two rounds of public submissions which were subsequently published on

296-542: A Greens -initiated gay marriage bill following the announcement of Tasmania's planned changes. The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) was opened by Jay Weatherill in 2013, a building often referred to as "the cheese grater" due to its exterior design. It is a health and medical research institute housing more than 700 researchers, and was the first stage of a new health and bio-medical precinct on North Terrace in Adelaide. Weatherill allowed

444-654: A conscience vote for the Greens' 2013 South Australian Gay Marriage bill in August 2012. However, the bill was frustrated by Labor's conservative Catholic right, as well as a lack of support by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard , and faced constitutional issues as expressed by the SA Liberal Party. The bill ultimately failed the lower house in July 2013 following Weatherill's planned conscience vote. August 2012, in

592-583: A Justice of the Peace. Lester and Wilkins argued that this would be particularly difficult for members of regional and remote communities. Lester also pointed out that the language of the Commission's presentations and issues papers made them difficult for aboriginal people to comprehend. Lester drew attention to her father, Yami Lester , who lost his sight after exposure to radioactive fallout from British nuclear weapons tests at Maralinga and Emu Field in

740-503: A LOC incident. However, when a team was sent to investigate the status of the RCIC of unit 2 the following morning (02:55), they confirmed that the RCIC was operating with the PCV pressure well below design limits. Based on this information, efforts were focused on unit 1. However, the condensate storage tank from which the RCIC draws water was nearly depleted by the early morning, and so the RCIC

888-532: A better deal for the River and South Australia. The end result was an additional commitment of 450 gigalitres of environmental water under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The 2012–2013 budget was Weatherill's first, with Jack Snelling as treasurer, and came with deep cuts aiming to achieve major savings. Some of this was through suspension of major works programs such as the electrification of

1036-445: A causal relationship between radiation and the cancer. Six other persons have been reported as having developed cancer or leukemia . Two workers were hospitalized because of radiation burns , and several other people sustained physical injuries as a consequence of the accident. Criticisms have been made about the public perception of radiological hazards resulting from accidents and the implementation of evacuations (similar to

1184-403: A closed coolant loop from the pressure vessel with a heat exchanger in a dedicated condenser tank. Steam would be forced into the heat exchanger by the reactor pressure, and the condensed coolant would be fed back into the vessel by gravity. Each reactor was initially designed to be equipped with two redundant ICs which were each capable of cooling the reactor for at least 8 hours (at which point,

1332-405: A closed-loop system which draws coolant from the suppression chamber (SC) instead of the storage tank, should the storage tank be depleted. Although this system could function autonomously without an external energy source (besides the steam from the reactor), direct current (DC) was needed to remotely control it and receive parameters and indications and alternating current (AC) was required to power

1480-455: A compensation package was developed for those earning under $ 100,000 In the 2016–17 Budget, Weatherill introduced Job Accelerator Grants, providing between $ 4,000 and $ 10,000 to businesses for creating new jobs, increasing in the 2017–18 budget. Weatherill claimed these grants created 10,000 jobs in their first year. Jay Weatherill, along with then Health Minister Jack Snelling, opened the new Royal Adelaide Hospital in early September 2017. It

1628-510: A major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima , Japan which began on 11 March 2011. The proximate cause of the accident was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami , which resulted in electrical grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant's backup energy sources . The subsequent inability to sufficiently cool reactors after shutdown compromised containment and resulted in

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1776-583: A number of measures supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and promised a return to surplus by 2015–2016. During the 2013 Federal Election, both Liberal and Labor promised that the next round of the country's submarines (12) would be built in South Australia, however after the election it appeared that the Liberal government had arranged to buy just eight submarines directly from Japan. Following an organised campaign by Jay Weatherill and Labor,

1924-606: A pro-nuclear bias by opponents of the royal commission including Friends of the Earth Australia. Scarce denied that he is an advocate for the nuclear industry and indicated that he was comfortable in the role of commissioner. Aboriginal woman Karina Lester and Chief Executive Craig Wilkins of the Conservation Council of South Australia raised concerns that the submission process was unnecessarily complicated as written submissions were required to be signed by

2072-550: A relationships register, the removal of discriminatory language throughout legislation, formal protections for intersex people, and changes to make amending a gender on a birth certificate easier. During this time, Weatherill also issued a formal apology to the LGBTIQ community for historical discrimination, and signed South Australia up to the trial of the HIV prevention drug PrEP. In April 2016, Whyalla's steelworks owned by Arrium

2220-565: A total four terms in government. Weatherill joined with Liberal premiers proclaiming he would lead a national campaign against the then federal Abbott government 's 2014 federal budget . Former Liberal Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith then defected, becoming an independent and entered the Weatherill cabinet . Hieu Van Le was announced on 26 June 2014 as the next Governor of South Australia to replace Kevin Scarce . Following

2368-535: Is married to Melissa, and they have two daughters. In the early days of his political career he was in a relationship with Penny Wong . He is a supporter of the Port Adelaide Football Club . He was reported to have contracted COVID-19 at a school reunion event in Norwood, South Australia on 27 November 2021. Fukushima nuclear disaster The Fukushima nuclear accident was

2516-657: The 2002 election and went on to retain the seat for Labor. Weatherill is from the Labor Left faction. Upon election he immediately entered the cabinet of the Rann government as Minister for Local Government, Government Enterprise, Urban Development and Planning, and Administrative Services. Later, Weatherill would hold portfolios such as Housing (2004–2008), Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (2006–2010), Early Childhood and Development (2008–2011), Environment and Conservation (2008–2010) and Education (2010–2011). Following

2664-530: The 2002 election to 17 December 2018, when he retired. Labor was in government from 2002, with Weatherill leading the Labor government since a 2011 leadership change from Mike Rann . During 2013 it became the longest-serving state Labor government in South Australian history, and in addition went on to win a fourth four-year term at the 2014 election . The 16-year state Labor government lost power at

2812-667: The 2010 election , Weatherill as a cabinet minister in the Rann government, unsuccessfully challenged Kevin Foley for the position of Deputy Premier . Weatherill said the election day backlash against Labor made it evident that a fresh approach was needed; however he lost along factional lines. In late July 2011, senior figures within Labor had indicated to Rann that both the left and right Labor factions had agreed to replace Rann with Weatherill as party leader. In early August 2011 Weatherill's attempts at contacting Rann on his trade mission to India had been met with silence, leaving

2960-616: The 2018 election . On 18 March, the day after the election, Weatherill announced his decision to step down as Labor leader, but intended to remain in Parliament on the back-bench. Peter Malinauskas succeeded Weatherill as Labor leader on 9 April. Weatherill announced his intention to retire from Parliament on 6 December 2018. Born in the western suburbs of Adelaide , he is the son of English-born former South Australian politician George Weatherill . Weatherill completed his secondary education at Henley High School . He later studied at

3108-721: The 2019 Australian federal election . Weatherill moved to Perth in 2020 to lead the Minderoo Foundation 's early childhood development arm Thrive by Five. In 2024, he joined the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation as chairman of the board. In the 2021 Australia Day Honours , Weatherill was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to the people and Parliament of South Australia, particularly as Premier, and to early childhood and tertiary education". Weatherill

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3256-611: The Australian National University , Mike Young and Paul Kerin from the University of Adelaide and Sue Richardson from Flinders University . The Radiation Medical Advisory Committee was composed of Roger Allison, Dorothy Keefe, Daniel Roos and Leanna Read. Community consultation occurred through written submissions made in response to questions raised in four issues papers and the commission's Tentative Findings. A series of public forums were held, where

3404-703: The Gawler and Outer Harbor rail lines, and redevelopments of Modbury Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital . Notably, the AAA credit rating achieved under the Rann government was lost, downgraded to AA+ in October, a move foreshadowed by Snelling. Other actions during Weatherill's first 12 months included a deal to increase shopping hours on public holidays, supported by SDA secretary Peter Malinauskas and Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan, and Weatherill's support for

3552-456: The House of Assembly seat of Cheltenham at the 2002 election when his party won government. Weatherill unsuccessfully contested the 1997 Australian Constitutional Convention election , running as an ungrouped candidate under the "Bill of Rights for Australia" label. Weatherill defeated the incumbent Labor member Murray De Laine for Labor preselection in the electorate of Cheltenham at

3700-625: The Murray-Darling Basin Plan , Weatherill requested that the Federal Government undertake a judicial enquiry or Royal Commission to determine who was to blame for “water theft” and whether upstream states had been complicit. When the Federal Government rejected the request, Weatherill then launched a South Australian Royal Commission in January 2018 to investigate. Later in 2018, after the change of state government,

3848-483: The University of Adelaide , graduating with degrees in law and economics. Between 1987 and 1990, he worked for the Australian Workers' Union . In the early 1990s, he worked at the law firm Duncan Hannon with Patrick Conlon and Isobel Redmond . With fellow Adelaide lawyer Stephen Lieschke, he established industrial law firm Lieschke & Weatherill in 1995 where he practised law until his election to

3996-476: The disposal of treated wastewater once used to cool the reactor , resulting in numerous protests in neighboring countries. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant consisted of six General Electric (GE) light water boiling water reactors (BWRs). Unit 1 was a GE type 3 BWR. Units 2–5 were type 4. Unit 6 was a type 5. At the time of the Tōhoku earthquake on 11 March 2011 , units 1–3 were operating. However,

4144-417: The management of high level nuclear waste generated by uranium mining and processing. Lowe concluded: "Any objective assessment of the state’s (energy) needs in the context of a commitment to sustainable development will favour going forward by expanding the proven capacity of clean renewables, rather than gambling on unproven nuclear fantasies." On 17 April 2015, Lowe was announced as one of five members of

4292-456: The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and embedded itself into the concrete at the base of the PCV. Although at the time it was difficult to determine how far the fuel had eroded and diffused into the concrete, it was estimated that the fuel remained within the PCV. Computer simulations, from 2013, suggest "the melted fuel in Unit 1, whose core damage was the most extensive, has breached the bottom of

4440-500: The spent fuel pools of all units still required cooling. Many of the internal components and fuel assembly cladding are made from a zirconium alloy (Zircaloy) for its low neutron cross section . At normal operating temperatures (~300 °C (572 °F)), it is inert. However, above 1,200 °C (2,190 °F), Zircaloy can be oxidized by steam to form hydrogen gas or by uranium dioxide to form uranium metal . Both of these reactions are exothermic . In combination with

4588-492: The 13 EDGs, 10 were water-cooled and placed in the basements about 7–8 m below the ground level. The coolant water for the EDGs was carried by several seawater pumps placed on the shoreline which also provide water for the main condenser. These components were unhoused and only protected by the seawall. The other three EDGs were air-cooled and were connected to units 2, 4, and 6. The air-cooled EDGs for units 2 and 4 were placed on

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4736-607: The 1950s and 1960s. She told the ABC : "My father (lives) 27 kilometres west form Marla Bore, (he) doesn't drive, wouldn't have a JP on hand, and would probably need to travel down to Coober Pedy... but he certainly has a story to tell and certainly would love to have input into the Royal Commission." The Royal Commission responded by agreeing to accept oral submissions in addition to formal written submissions. Nuclear power advocates Prof. Barry Brook and Ben Heard supported

4884-573: The 20th. Unit 6 was not operating, and its decay heat was low. All but one EDG was disabled by the tsunami, allowing unit 6 to retain AC-powered safety functions throughout the incident. However, because the RHR was damaged, workers activated the make-up water condensate system to maintain the reactor water level until the RHR was restored on the 20th. Cold shutdown was achieved on the 20th, less than an hour after unit 5. On 21 March, temperatures in

5032-717: The Advertiser newspaper, workers at the Australian Submarine Corporation and the South Australian public, a “competitive evaluation process” was announced by the Federal Government, with the final contract for a South Australian build awarded to French company DCNS with majority of the work to take place in Osborne, South Australia. Following the announcement, Jay Weatherill travelled to France to meet with DCNS and others in an attempt to maximise opportunities for South Australia. Weatherill also released

5180-575: The Australian Uranium Council voiced their support for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. The Australian Financial Review has editorialised strongly in favour of the Royal Commission. An editorial piece on 11 July 2015 proposed that the South Australian community was generally in favour of nuclear industrial development, stating: "In fact, proceedings to date suggest genuine support of

5328-567: The Chernobyl nuclear accident), as they were accused of causing more harm than they prevented. Following the accident, at least 164,000 residents of the surrounding area were permanently or temporarily displaced (either voluntarily or by evacuation order). The displacements resulted in at least 51 deaths as well as stress and fear of radiological hazards. Investigations faulted lapses in safety and oversight, namely failures in risk assessment and evacuation planning. Controversy surrounds

5476-781: The Commission and the submission process to the general public. A second round of community consultation sessions commenced in late June 2015. These included a combination of return visits, and visits to new locations. Jon Bok and solicitor Bonnie Russell were present at the Ceduna event on 7 July. A third round of public forums will conclude in December 2015. On 30 August 2015 the media reported that public hearings would commence on 9 September 2015. The Commission will summon expert witnesses to ask questions of them in person. Commissioner Kevin Scarce expects that 30 to 40 hearings will be held, three per day and up to 90 minutes each in duration. All of

5624-522: The Commission's Technical Research Team, were released via the Commission's website in March 2015. A period for public submissions responding to questions posed in the Issues Papers closed on 3 August 2015. By 11 August 2015, 73 submissions had been made available to the public. Over 250 submissions were received, of which 247 were made publicly available. The Commission used these submissions to inform

5772-726: The Commission's announcement. Opponents include: Conservation SA , Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW), Friends of the Earth , the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Greens . Renewable energy advocate Matthew Wright accused the Royal Commission of demonstrating a pro-nuclear bias in order to promote the interests of uranium exploration and mining companies and their shareholders. Long-term anti-nuclear advocate, physician and author Dr. Helen Caldicott criticised

5920-527: The Commission's inquiry and findings, beginning with a briefing for the Premier and Cabinet on 9 May 2019. The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is governed by the Royal Commissions Act 1917 (SA) . The Act outlines the powers and functions of a Royal Commission with respect to inspecting places and objects, summoning persons to appear before the commission, summoning of documents relevant to

6068-462: The FP injection port was hidden under debris. The next morning (12 March, 04:00), approximately 12 hours after the loss of power, freshwater injection into the reactor vessel began, later replaced by a water line at 09:15 leading directly from the water storage tank to the injection port to allow for continuous operation (the fire engine had to be periodically refilled). This continued into the afternoon until

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6216-785: The Federal Government barred Murray Darling Basin Authority officials from appearing at the Royal Commission to give evidence. The Commissioner, Bret Walker SC, also wrote to SA Attorney-General Vickie Chapman asking for an extension, but this was rejected. In February 2018, Weatherill announced that the South Australian Government and Tesla had reached an agreement to create the world's largest virtual power plant at 250MW, giving free solar panels and battery systems to 50,000 South Australian homes. Weatherill claimed it would reduce power prices directly for those involved, and indirectly for others through increased competition in

6364-667: The Federal Liberal government was the "most anti-SA government in living memory" and claimed the Federal Government's plan for Snowy Hydro 2.0 was a sign of a government in a "white-knuckled panic about national energy policy". In September 2017, at the opening of the International Astronautical Congress held in South Australia, Weatherill announced the South Australian Space Industry Centre. The intention

6512-487: The French Engagement Strategy, a plan to strengthen economic and business ties with France, also focusing on broader opportunities in areas such as education, tourism and the arts. In December 2013 Holden announced it would withdraw production from Australia. At the time Holden directly employed 1,600 people in its Elizabeth plant in South Australia, with a total of 3,000 job losses predicted through

6660-487: The Fukushima coast. In response to the station blackout during the initial hours of the accident and the ongoing uncertainty regarding the cooling status of units 1 and 2, a 2 km radius evacuation of 1,900 residents was ordered at 20:50. However, due to difficulty coordinating with the national government, a 3 km evacuation order of ~6,000 residents and a 10 km shelter-in-place order for 45,000 residents

6808-469: The Government of South Australia's YourSAy website. The Terms of Reference were announced on 19 March 2015 by the Governor of South Australia Hieu Van Le . They directed the royal commission to investigate matters related to exploration, extracting and milling; further processing and manufacture; electricity generation; and management, storage and disposal of waste. A set of four Issues Papers, written by

6956-523: The HPCI and RCIC systems, but both failed to restart. Following this loss of cooling, workers established a water line from the valve pit to inject seawater into the reactor alongside unit 2. However, water could not be injected due to RPV pressures exceeding the pump capability. Similarly, preparations were also made to vent the unit 3 PCV, but PCV pressure was not sufficient to burst the rupture disk. Later that morning (9:08), workers were able to depressurize

7104-539: The HPCI system showed signs of malfunction. The HPCI isolation valve failed to activate automatically upon achieving a certain pressure. In response, the workers switched off HPCI and began injection of water via the lower-pressure firefighting equipment. However, the workers found that the SRVs did not operate to relieve pressure from the reactor vessel to allow water injection by the DDFP. In response, workers attempted to restart

7252-707: The International Nuclear Event Scale. According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation , "no adverse health effects among Fukushima residents have been documented that are directly attributable to radiation exposure from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident". Insurance compensation was paid for one death from lung cancer , but this does not prove

7400-471: The Liberals, and the balance of power resting with the two independents , Bob Such and Geoff Brock . After Such went on medical leave for a brain tumour without indicating his support, political commentators indicated that Brock would likely back Labor by reason of 'political stability'. Brock did back Labor, giving Labor 24 seats and as a result Weatherill formed a minority government − giving Labor

7548-612: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Expert Advisory Committee. The Australian Conservation Foundation has questioned the timing of the royal commission given the current downturn being experienced by the nuclear industry in Australia and globally. They note that the royal commission could represent an attempt to revive the failed bid to establish a nuclear waste repository in South Australia. While they acknowledge

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7696-435: The PCV was completed later that afternoon at 14:00. At the same time, pressure in the reactor vessel had been decreasing to equalize with the PCV, and the workers prepared to inject water into the reactor vessel using the DDFP once the pressure had decreased below the 0.8 MPa limit. Unfortunately, the DDFP was found to be inoperable and a fire truck had to be connected to the FP system. This process took about 4 hours, as

7844-473: The RCIC system failed. In response, the high-pressure coolant injection (HPCI) system was activated to alleviate the lack of cooling while workers continued to attempt to restart the RCIC. Additionally, the FP system was used to spray the PCV (mainly the SC) with water in order to slow the climbing temperatures and pressures of the PCV. On the morning of the 13th (02:42), after DC power was restored by new batteries,

7992-422: The RCIC system was continuing to cool the reactor. However, knowing that their DC supply was limited, the workers managed to extend the backup DC supply to about 2 days by disconnecting nonessential equipment, until replacement batteries were brought from a neighboring power station on the morning of the 13th (with 7 hours between loss and restoration of DC power). At 11:36 the next day, after 20.5 hours of operation,

8140-624: The Royal Commission on behalf of the industry body. He told attendees of the 2015 AusIMM International Uranium Conference that "the announcement of a Royal Commission here in South Australia into Nuclear Fuel Cycle potential has turbo-charged interest in the uranium and nuclear industries, not just here in South Australia but throughout Australia." As of 2015, the MCA's Board of Directors includes representatives of three established uranium mining companies (BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto Group and Paladin Energy ) and

8288-562: The Royal Commission to the USA and to Canada. American destinations included Washington, D.C. , and Pennsylvania . Canadian destinations were limited to Ontario and included Port Hope, Toronto, Ottawa and Chalk River. Two additional international visits were made to the United Arab Emirates in late July, and to South Korea in late August. Following his appointment, Commissioner Scarce was accused of having previously demonstrated

8436-582: The Royal Commission. In December 2015, an additional $ 3.1 million in State Government funding was announced. Additional funding has been sought from the Commonwealth Government. Following the receipt of the final report of the Royal Commission, Premier Jay Weatherill announced that the inquiry had cost a total of $ 7.2 million. Three Expert Advisory Committees were formed during the Royal Commission. The first Expert Advisory Panel

8584-416: The Royal Commission. The Council said it would reserve its judgement until after the Commission had presented its findings, with Mayor Jim Pollock expressing personal reservations regarding potential developments of the nuclear industry in the region. Further opposition to the expansion of nuclear industries in South Australia has been expressed by environmental and aboriginal activists and organisations since

8732-661: The South Australian Labor Party's Royal Commission represents bipartisan support for an impartial and evidenced based evaluation of the nuclear issue. Nuclear industrial interests within Australia also welcomed the announcement of the Commission, including Bruce Hundertmark 's venture South Australian Nuclear Energy Systems (SANES), the established laser enrichment and technology company SILEX Systems and small modular reactor start-up, SMR Nuclear Technology . French state-owned nuclear industrial company Areva has also demonstrated their eagerness to support

8880-539: The aftermath of the GFC, BHP announced that the $ 20 billion Olympic Dam mine expansion would not go ahead, citing 'subdued commodity prices and higher capital costs'. However, the mine remains operational, employing 2500 people. On 21 January 2013, Weatherill became Treasurer of South Australia and took other various portfolios following a cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of two members of his ministry. The 2013–2014 budget saw revenue increase, in part due to

9028-569: The agency had created over 9,000 jobs for South Australians. In 2015, the Weatherill Government pledged significant funds towards a second building, to be known as the John Chalmers Centre for Transforming Healthcare or 'SAHMRI II', which would house Australia's first proton therapy unit. In the 2015–16 Budget, Weatherill spruiked his government's plan to abolish stamp duties on business transactions and introduce

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9176-580: The announcement stating that the debate about nuclear power in Australia has "remained open to distortions, fabrications and fear-mongering. Fortunately, such tactics will not withstand the scrutiny of a Royal Commission. As scientists, academics and evidence-based activists, concerned with facts and objective judgement, we welcome this process." Prof. Barry Brook was appointed to the Royal Commission's Expert Advisory Committee and announced on 17 April 2015. The Minerals Council of Australia 's uranium portfolio spokesperson, Daniel Zavattiero , expressed support for

9324-436: The atmosphere, those which remain in a gaseous phase will simply be diluted by the atmosphere, but some which precipitate will eventually settle on land or in the ocean. Approximately 40–80% of the atmospheric caesium-137 was deposited in the ocean. Thus, the majority (90~99%) of the radionuclides which are deposited are isotopes of iodine and caesium, with a small portion of tellurium , which are almost fully vaporized out of

9472-410: The blackout, the RCIC was functioning as designed without the need for operator intervention. The safety relief valves (SRVs) would intermittently release steam directly into the PCV suppression torus at its design pressure and the RCIC properly replenished lost coolant. However, following the total blackout of Unit 2, the plant operators (similar to Unit 1) assumed the worst-case scenario and prepared for

9620-609: The commission met with the industry's international regulator, the IAEA at its headquarters. Commissioner Scarce said that the visits "assisted the commission's understanding of the challenges, successes and lessons learnt by countries active in the nuclear fuel cycle" and "increased the commission's understanding of current technology and advancements in nuclear energy and highlighted both good and bad practices." On 25 June, Scarce told radio station 5AA that further processing of uranium, nuclear power generation and waste storage were all "on

9768-457: The commission. In March 2015, the French government welcomed the South Australian royal commission and offered access to its nuclear experts during the enquiry. The French Ambassador to Australia Christophe Lecourtier travelled to Adelaide from Canberra to meet with Premier Jay Weatherill and discuss the French nuclear industry. In June 2015 Vanessa Guthrie from Toro Energy and Mark Chalmers from

9916-719: The community had opportunities to ask questions directly of the Commissioner and members of his staff. Four issues papers were written by the Technical Research Team and were then vetted by the Expert Advisory Committee prior to publication. The first of the four issues papers had been released on April 17, with the announcement of the Expert Advisory Committee's membership. By May 2015, a complete set of four issues papers had been published. The final closing date for formal public submissions

10064-411: The condenser tank would have to be refilled). However, it was possible for the IC system to cool the reactor too rapidly shortly after shutdown which could result in undesirable thermal stress on the containment structures. To avoid this, the protocol called for reactor operators to manually open and close the condenser loop using electrically operated control valves. After the construction of Unit 1,

10212-645: The contaminated waters far into the Pacific Ocean, dispersing the radioactivity. As of late 2011, measurements of both the seawater and the coastal sediments suggested that the consequences for marine life would be minor. Significant pollution along the coast near the plant might persist, because of the continuing arrival of radioactive material transported to the sea by surface water crossing contaminated soil. The possible presence of other radioactive substances, such as strontium-90 or plutonium , had not been sufficiently studied. Recent measurements show persistent contamination of some marine species (mostly fish) caught along

10360-431: The core due to their high vapor pressure. The remaining fraction of deposited radionuclides are of less volatile elements such as barium , antimony , and niobium , of which less than a percent is evaporated from the fuel. In addition to atmospheric deposition, there was also a significant quantity of direct releases into groundwater (and eventually the ocean) through leaks of coolant which had been in direct contact with

10508-399: The critical parts of the reactor was found. In 2006, the design of the reactors was reevaluated with new standards requiring the reactors to withstand accelerations ranging up to 450 Gal. In the event of an emergency, operators planned to pump water into the reactors to keep them cool. This would inevitably create steam which should not be very radioactive because the fuel would still be in

10656-423: The current inquiry risks retreading old ground already covered by several previous public inquiries and proposals for nuclear industrialisation. Lowe referred to the 2006 UMPNER review's finding that substantial government subsidies would be required to support nuclear industrial development in Australia, and the earlier Fox Report (1976–1978), which drew attention to the problems of nuclear weapons proliferation and

10804-505: The death of Such, Labor won the 2014 Fisher by-election by nine votes from a 7.3 percent two-party swing in a hotly contested three-cornered contest. Weatherill nonetheless kept Brock and Hamilton-Smith in cabinet, giving the government a 26 to 21 parliamentary majority. In 2015, Weatherill initiated the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission to investigate opportunities and risks associated with expanding

10952-413: The establishment of the royal commission stating that the arguments in favour of nuclear energy are "many and specious". She observed that several members of the expert advisory panel have a well known pro-nuclear stance. She also criticised the Royal Commission for not appointing a medical doctor to the Expert Advisory Committee, stating: "This is a carcinogenic industry that must be halted immediately in

11100-473: The exothermic reaction of boron carbide with stainless steel , these reactions can contribute to the overheating of a reactor. In the event of an emergency, reactor pressure vessels (RPV) are automatically isolated from the turbines and main condenser and are instead switched to a secondary condenser system which is designed to cool the reactor without the need for pumps powered by external power or generators. The isolation condenser (IC) system involved

11248-443: The explosion. The debris produced by the explosion damaged the mobile emergency power generator and the seawater injection lines. The seawater injection lines were repaired and put back into operation at 19:04 until the valve pit was nearly depleted of seawater at 01:10 on the 14th. The seawater injection was temporarily stopped in order to refill the valve pit with seawater using a variety of emergency service and JSDF vehicles. However,

11396-409: The final 20 km evacuation zone. 20% of residents who were within the initial 2 km radius had to evacuate more than six times. Additionally, a 30 km shelter in place order was communicated on the 15th, although some municipalities within this zone had already decided to evacuate their residents. This order was followed by a voluntary evacuation recommendation on the 25th, although

11544-400: The following numbers of fuel assemblies: The original design basis was a zero-point ground acceleration of 250 Gal and a static acceleration of 470 Gal, based on the 1952 Kern County earthquake (0.18 g , 1.4 m/s , 4.6 ft/s ). After the 1978 Miyagi earthquake , when the ground acceleration reached 0.125 g (1.22 m/s , 4.0 ft/s ) for 30 seconds, no damage to

11692-475: The following units were designed with new open-cycle reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) systems. This new system used the steam from the reactor vessel to drive a turbine which would power a pump to inject water into the pressure vessel from an external storage tank to maintain the water level in the reactor vessel and was designed to operate for at least 4 hours (until the depletion of coolant or mechanical failure). Additionally, this system could be converted into

11840-451: The foreseeable future." [1] . The report says that nuclear power is unlikely to be profitable in SA, as is the processing of uranium before export. However, the report stated that SA could profitably take nuclear waste from other countries and store it locally. The report says that there is presently limited local opposition to mining and exporting uranium in SA, and it advocates the expansion of

11988-455: The freshwater tank was nearly depleted. In response, injection stopped at 14:53 and the injection of seawater, which had collected in a nearby valve pit (the only other source of water), began. Power was restored to units 1 (and 2) using a mobile generator at 15:30 on 12 March. At 15:36, a hydrogen explosion damaged the secondary confinement structure (the RB). The workers evacuated shortly after

12136-542: The fuel pond had risen slightly, to 61 °C (142 °F), and water was sprayed over the pool. Power was restored to cooling systems on 24 March and by 28 March, temperatures were reported down to 35 °C (95 °F). Quantities of the released material are expressed in terms of the three predominant products released: caesium-137 , iodine-131 , and xenon-133 . Estimates for atmospheric releases range from 7–20  PBq for Cs-137, 100–400 PBq for I-131, and 6,000–12,000 PBq for Xe-133. Once released into

12284-496: The fuel. Estimates for this release vary from 1 to 5.5 PBq caesium-137 and 10-20 PBq iodine-131 . According to the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety , the release from the accident represents the most important individual oceanic emissions of artificial radioactivity ever observed. The Fukushima coast has one of the world's strongest currents ( Kuroshio Current ). It transported

12432-425: The future deployment of nuclear power in Australia and also welcomed the announcement of the Commission, stating: "[Australia] currently makes no use of nuclear energy to generate electricity, with a law in place prohibiting this. The Royal Commission presents the chance to dispense with this fundamentally outdated and unscientific policy forever." Liberal Party Senator Sean Edwards has indicated strong support for

12580-412: The ground floor of the spent fuel building, but the switches and various other components were located below, in the basement. The third air-cooled EDG was in a separate building placed inland and at higher elevations. Although these EDGs are intended to be used with their respective reactors, switchable interconnections between unit pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6) allowed reactors to share EDGs should

12728-440: The ground or basement levels at approximately 15:41. The switching stations that provided power from the three EDGs located higher on the hillside also failed when the building that housed them flooded. One air-cooled EDG, that of unit 6, was unaffected by the flooding and continued to operate. The DC batteries for units 1, 2, and 4 were also inoperable shortly after flooding. As a result, units 1–5 lost AC power and DC power

12876-546: The handicap has caught up with us on this occasion." Peter Malinauskas became Leader of the Opposition and succeeded Weatherill who had resigned as Labor leader, with Susan Close as deputy, following a Labor caucus meeting on 9 April 2018. In June 2019, he was appointed as an industry professor at the University of South Australia. In July 2019, he was appointed to conduct a review of Federal Labor's loss at

13024-564: The hearings will be streamed live on the internet. The first round of hearings will present experts on the topics of climate change, energy policy, the National Electricity Market (NEM), South Australian geology and hydrology and low carbon electricity generation. Later hearings will cover topics including lessons learnt from past activities in South Australia, storage and disposal of radioactive waste, best practice regulation and community engagement, and radiation risks to

13172-464: The inquiry, inspection of these documents or any other, and examining witnesses on oath, affirmation, or declaration. In effect, a Royal Commission has the same powers and protections as a Supreme court. Royal Commissions are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (SA) . According to the 2015-16 South Australian State Budget, $ 6 million was allocated over 2 years to cover the operating costs of

13320-455: The inquiry, proposing that nuclear industrial development could potentially attract tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment to South Australia. He suggested that the storage of spent nuclear fuel and its processing via fast breeder reactors could effectively create a "special economic zone" with spin-off effects including the potential abolition of $ 4.4 billion in state taxes and the provision of "free power to SA households". He noted that

13468-415: The isolation valves. In an emergency where backup on-site power was partially damaged or insufficient to last until a grid connection to off-site power could be restored, these cooling systems could no longer be relied upon to reliably cool the reactor. In such a case, the expected procedure was to vent both the reactor vessel and primary containment using electrically or pneumatically operated valves using

13616-437: The majority of residents had evacuated from the 30 km zone by then. The shelter in place order was lifted on April 22, but the evacuation recommendation remained. Of an estimated 2,220 patients and elderly who resided within hospitals and nursing homes within the 20 km evacuation zone, 51 fatalities are attributed to the evacuation. There was one suspected death due to radiation, as one person died 4 years later of

13764-462: The market. The record-16-year-incumbent SA Labor government was seeking a fifth four-year term at the 2018 election , but was defeated by the opposition SA Liberals , led by Steven Marshall . Though a major electoral redistribution in 2016 had seen four Labor seats become notionally Liberal, Labor retained a total of 19 seats at the election. The incoming Liberal government won a total of 25 seats, with crossbench independents holding 3 seats. Despite

13912-400: The name of public health. The people advocating a nuclear South Australia have no comprehension of genetics , radiation biology , oncology and medicine . Or they are willing to ignore the risks." The Final report found that "the future demand for and anticipated costs of nuclear power (including small modular reactors) mean that it is unlikely to be commercially viable in South Australia in

14060-593: The nation's lowest payroll tax rate. In 2015, Weatherill invited the South Australian Law Reform Institute to review all legislation for discrimination against the LGBTIQ community resulting in a number of bills eventually being passed in the South Australian Parliament. These included laws to ensure equal access to IVF and surrogacy services for same sex couples, equal access to adoption, the establishment of

14208-455: The need arise. The power station was also equipped with backup DC batteries kept charged by AC power at all times, designed to be able to power the station for approximately 8 hours without EDGs. In units 1, 2, and 4, the batteries were located in the basements alongside the EDGs. In units 3, 5, and 6, the batteries were located in the turbine building where they were raised above ground level. The units and central storage facility contained

14356-487: The nuclear cycle, and that it should be "evidence based, rigorous and independent". Peter Burdon, an academic at the University of Adelaide, has also speculated that the commission is likely to focus on the establishment of a nuclear waste repository in South Australia, most likely on aboriginal land. He notes that the failure of previous Howard government proposal for a waste dump was mostly attributed to opposition from South Australian politicians. However he suggests that

14504-406: The ocean began two hours later, and cooling of unit 3 resumed in the afternoon (approximately 16:00) and continued until cooling was lost once more as a result of site evacuation on the 15th. Unit 4 was not fueled at the time, but the unit 4 spent fuel pool (SFP) contained a number of fuel rods. On 15 March, an explosion was observed at unit 4 RB during site evacuation. A team later returned to

14652-427: The outcome, there was actually a statewide two-party-preferred swing away from the Liberals toward Labor of over 1%. Four hours after the close of polls, Weatherill telephoned Steven Marshall and conceded defeat. Weatherill subsequently publicly announced that he had conceded, saying, "I'm sorry I couldn't bring home another victory, but I do feel like one of those horses that has won four Melbourne Cups and I think

14800-571: The party leadership in limbo until Rann's return to Australia. Weatherill refused to rule out challenging Rann in a caucus ballot if he did not stand down on his return to Australia. Rann eventually resigned at the behest of factional bosses, with Caucus endorsing Weatherill as his successor. Weatherill was then sworn in as the 45th Premier of South Australia on 21 October 2011. In 2011/2012, Weatherill and then Environment Minister Paul Caica brought together irrigators, business, River Murray communities and South Australians more generally to fight for

14948-463: The power station to inspect unit 4, but were unable to do so due to the present radiological hazard. The explosion damaged the fourth-floor rooftop area of Unit 4, creating two large holes in a wall of the RB. The explosion was likely caused by hydrogen passing to unit 4 from unit 3 through shared pipes. The following day, on the 16th, an aerial inspection was performed by helicopter which confirmed there

15096-411: The preparation of a series of public hearings. In May 2015, a list of names of staff and their potentially relevant pecuniary interests was published on the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission's website. The first of an expected 30 to 40 public hearings was to be held in Adelaide on 9 September 2015 and hearings were expected to continue into early 2016. A report of the Commission's Tentative Findings

15244-410: The primary containment vessel and even partially eaten into its concrete foundation, coming within about 30 cm (1 ft) of leaking into the ground". A Kyoto University nuclear engineer said with regard to these estimates: "We just can't be sure until we actually see the inside of the reactors." Unit 2 was the only other operating reactor which experienced a total loss of AC and DC power. Before

15392-496: The primary containment vessel. Therefore, the steam would manually be released by venting valves to prevent a high pressure explosion. The 9.0 M W earthquake occurred at 14:46 on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter off of the east coast of the Tōhoku region . It produced maximum ground g-force of 560 Gal , 520 Gal, 560 Gal at units 2, 3, and 5 respectively. This exceeded the seismic reactor design tolerances of 450 Gal, 450 Gal, and 460 Gal for continued operation, but

15540-518: The privatisation of SA Lotto to Tatts Group for $ 427 million, and of forests in the State's south-east to international company The Campbell Group for $ 670 million. However, Australia's surging dollar hit the manufacturing industry sector in SA, and growth in indicators such as retail sales and house prices fell. Despite this, the government included funding for the Gawler railway line up to Dry Creek ,

15688-444: The process by South Australians more interested in jobs and progress than the rabid but loud anti-nuclearites. South Australians want growth and know that subsidised defence industries in the gift of the federal government cannot be banked on." Immediately following the announcement of the Royal Commission, emeritus Prof. Ian Lowe from Griffith University (and previous President of the Australian Conservation Foundation ) suggested that

15836-496: The process of restarting seawater injection was interrupted by another explosion in unit 3 RB at 11:01 which damaged water lines and prompted another evacuation. Injection of seawater into unit 1 would not resume until that evening, after 18 hours without cooling. Subsequent analysis in November 2011 suggested that this extended period without cooling resulted in the melting of the fuel in unit 1, most of which would have escaped

15984-483: The prospect of importing spent nuclear fuel to South Australia. Jay Weatherill Jay Wilson Weatherill AO (born 3 April 1964) is a former Australian politician who was the 45th premier of South Australia , serving from 21 October 2011 until 19 March 2018. Weatherill represented the House of Assembly seat of Cheltenham as a member of the South Australian Labor Party from

16132-574: The prospective uranium miner, Toro Energy . Terry Krieg, a spokesperson for the Australian Nuclear Association said in March 2015 that he was preparing a submission to the Commission, and that he hoped that Eyre Peninsula would embrace nuclear industrial development. One of the possible developments he suggested was a nuclear-powered seawater desalination plant at Ceduna, powered by uranium from Olympic Dam. The London -based World Nuclear Association expressed support for

16280-594: The public and environment. The commission toured internationally during May and June 2015 with objectives of gather evidence and meeting relevant experts. A delegation of three had planned to travel to the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Other destinations included the United Kingdom , France , Taiwan and Finland where visits to nuclear facilities took place, and to Vienna , Austria , where

16428-468: The reactor by operating the safety relief valves using batteries collected from nearby automobiles. This was shortly followed by the bursting of the venting line rupture disk and the depressurization of the PCV. Unfortunately, venting was quickly stopped by a pneumatic isolation valve which closed on the vent path due to a lack of compressed air, and venting was not resumed until over 6 hours later once an external air compressor could be installed. Despite this,

16576-414: The reactor operators began planning to lower the PCV pressure by venting. The PCV reached its maximum pressure of 0.84 MPa at 02:30 on 12 March, after which it stabilized around 0.8 MPa. The decrease in pressure was due to an uncontrolled vent via an unknown pathway. The plant was notified Okuma town completed evacuation at 9:02 on 12 March. The staff subsequently began controlled venting. Venting of

16724-399: The reactor pressure was immediately low enough to allow for water injection (borated freshwater, as ordered by TEPCO) using the FP system until the freshwater FP tanks were depleted, at which point the injected coolant was switched to seawater from the valve pit. Cooling was lost once the valve pit was depleted but was resumed two hours later (unit 1 cooling was postponed until the valve pit

16872-426: The reactor vessel. However, the reactor pressure had already increased to many times greater than the limit of the DDFP. Additionally, the team detected high levels of radiation within the secondary confinement structure, indicating damage to the reactor core, and found that the primary containment vessel (PCV) pressure (0.6  MPa ) exceeded design specifications (0.528 MPa). In response to this new information,

17020-603: The release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment. The accident was rated seven (the maximum severity) on the International Nuclear Event Scale by Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, following a report by the JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization). It is regarded as the worst nuclear incident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, which was also rated a seven on

17168-506: The remaining electricity on site. This would lower the reactor pressure sufficiently to allow for low-pressure injection of water into the reactor using the fire protection system to replenish water lost to evaporation. Station operators switched the reactor control to off-site power for shutdown, but the system was damaged by the earthquake. Emergency diesel generators (EDG) then automatically started to provide AC power. Two EDGs were available for each of units 1–5 and three for unit 6. Of

17316-482: The role of the senior aboriginal women's council of Coober Pedy in the defeat of this proposal was also very important. In March 2015, Professor Stephen Lincoln from South Australian Nuclear Energy Systems discussed a draft proposal for a $ 7 billion uranium enrichment facility at Whyalla with the Whyalla News . Residents who were interviewed indicated that they disagreed with the proposal and were cynical about

17464-455: The seismic values were within the design tolerances of unit 6. Upon detecting the earthquake, all three operating reactors (units 1, 2, and 3) automatically shut down. Due to expected grid failure and damage to the switch station as a result of the earthquake, the power station automatically started up the EDGs, isolated the reactor from the primary coolant loops, and activated the emergency shutdown cooling systems. The largest tsunami wave

17612-457: The state government would hold an annual 'Simplify Day' to initiate the reduction and removal of unnecessary regulation and legislation. Over the first two Simplify Days (2016 and 2017), the government amended 101 acts and regulations and removed 22 acts altogether. Jay Weatherill also set up Investment Attraction South Australia in 2015, attracting international companies including Technicolour, Boeing, Kaufland, Datacom and VeroGuard. In two years

17760-500: The state's involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle. The Commission was headed by former Governor Kevin Scarce and delivered its final report and recommendation to the Government of South Australia in May 2016. The Royal Commission report urged South Australia to pursue a waste storage facility, claiming South Australia has the "attributes and capabilities to manage and dispose of international used nuclear fuel safely". The report indicated that it

17908-623: The steelworks. The Federal Government refused, however in 2017 British consortium GFG Alliance settled on terms of a purchase of the steelworks with administrators Korda Menthe. Since the purchase, GFG Alliance has invested in Whyalla in a number of ways including a $ 1.37 billion renewable energy project. In 2016, Weatherill supported calls for increasing the GST to 15%. He argued that the GST rate should be increased but he would only support an increase if

18056-495: The supply chain. While Liberal Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas claimed South Australia was “careering toward double digit unemployment” after the closure, strong support from the Weatherill Labor government ensured the small business sector grew above trend after the closure with unemployment at 6% in January 2017, three months after. The 2014 State election resulted in a hung parliament with 23 seats for Labor, 22 for

18204-440: The table at the moment." He said that he had seen nuclear industries and food production coexisting in Japan, France and Finland, and wasn't concerned about the prospect of new developments adversely impacting the state's clean, green food production image. He acknowledged that the Commission was now investigating the economics of further fuel cycle involvement. Scarce also announced that further international visits would be made by

18352-625: The televised news media. Citizens were informed by radio, trucks with megaphones, and door to door visits. Many municipalities independently ordered evacuations ahead of orders from the national government due to loss of communication with authorities; at the time of the 3 km evacuation order, the majority of residents within the zone had already evacuated. Due to the multiple overlapping evacuation orders, many residents had evacuated to areas which would shortly be designated as evacuation areas. This resulted in many residents having to move multiple times until they reached an area outside of

18500-460: The tsunami, operators attempted to manually open the IC control valve, but the IC failed to function, suggesting that the isolation valves were closed. Although they were kept open during IC operation, the loss of DC power in unit 1 (which occurred shortly before the loss of AC power) automatically closed the AC-powered isolation valves to prevent uncontrolled cooling or a potential LOC. Although this status

18648-462: The tsunami. The isolation condenser (IC) was functioning prior to the tsunami, but the DC-operated control valve outside of the primary containment had been in the closed position at the time to prevent thermal stresses on the reactor components. Some indications in the control room stopped functioning and operators correctly assumed loss of coolant (LOC). At 18:18 on 11 March, a few hours after

18796-458: The uranium industry. The final report recommends the repeal of state and federal prohibitions which currently prevent further development of the nuclear industry in South Australia beyond its current role in the mining and export of uranium oxide concentrates. On 25 May 2016, a Joint Committee on Findings of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission was appointed, composed of South Australian parliamentarians from four political parties. Dennis Hood

18944-424: The urgent need to move to a low carbon economy , they suggest that the inquiry risks spending significant resources and political capital on a controversial and high risk nuclear industry when South Australia is already leading the nation in renewable energy commercialisation , especially wind power . They suggest that the commission should consider the domestic and international impacts of Australia's involvement in

19092-489: Was 13–14 m (43–46 feet) high and hit approximately 50 minutes after the initial earthquake, overtopping the seawall and exceeding the plant's ground level, which was 10 m (33 ft) above sea level. The waves first damaged the seawater pumps along the shoreline, 10 of the plant's 13 cooling systems for the emergency diesel generators (EDG). The waves then flooded all turbine and reactor buildings, damaging EDGs and other electrical components and connections located on

19240-595: Was 3 August 2015. The issues papers covered the following themes: Each of the Issues Papers form the questions to which the Royal Commission is providing to the public to assist them in making a submission. Each paper responds to the Terms of Reference as declared by the Governor of South Australia with three themes of viability, feasibility and risks and opportunities of each part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Public forums hosted by Commissioner Scarce were held in regional South Australia and in Adelaide. These sessions introduced

19388-496: Was announced on 17 April and was composed of Dr. Timothy Stone , Prof. Barry Brook , Dr. Leanna Read , John Carlson and Emeritus Prof. Ian Lowe . Carlson also later gave testimony as an expert witness during one of its Public Sessions, and Leanna Read also sat on the Commission's Radiation Medical Advisory Committee. A Socio-economic Modelling Advisory Committee was later announced, composed of Ken Baldwin and Quentin Grafton from

19536-479: Was appointed Chair, and its members include Annabel Digance MP, Hon Tom Kenyon MP, Hon Rob Lucas MLC, Hon Mark Parnell MLC, Mr Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP. The Committee received submissions from interested parties prior to 1 July 2016, and heard testimony from a range of witnesses. The Committee was expected to deliver the results of its considerations to the South Australian Parliament and ultimately concluded that no further public money should be spent pursuing

19684-457: Was damaged and the isolation valve for the PCV vent was found to be closed and inoperable. At 13:00 on the 14th, the RCIC pump for unit 2 failed after 68 hours of continuous operation. With no way to vent the PCV, in response, a plan was devised to delay containment failure by venting the reactor vessel into the PCV using the SRVs to allow for seawater injection into the reactor vessel. The following morning (March 15, 06:15), another explosion

19832-416: Was established nearly simultaneously at 21:23. The evacuation radius was expanded to 10 km at 5:44, and was then revised to 20 km at 18:25. The size of these evacuation zones was set for arbitrary reasons at the discretion of bureaucrats rather than nuclear experts. Communication between different authorities was scattered and at several times the local governments learned the status of evacuation via

19980-639: Was filled). However, despite being cooled, PCV pressure continued to rise and the RPV water level continued to drop until the fuel became uncovered on the morning of the 14th (6:20), as indicated by a water level gauge, which was followed by workers evacuating the area out of concerns about a possible second hydrogen explosion similar to unit 1. Shortly after work resumed to reestablish coolant lines, an explosion occurred in unit 3 RB at 11:01 on March 14, which further delayed unit 1 cooling and damaged unit 3's coolant lines. Work to reestablish seawater cooling directly from

20128-481: Was for it to eventually form part of a national space agency. In a reshuffle of the South Australian Cabinet that week, Weatherill also announced the expanded the portfolio to become 'Defence and Space Industries'. The Congress in Adelaide hosted 3500 delegates from around the world, including Elon Musk of SpaceX and NASA. In 2017, after revelations that upstream states had not been complying with

20276-533: Was heard on site coinciding with a rapid drop of suppression chamber pressure to atmospheric pressure, interpreted as a malfunction of suppression chamber pressure measurement. Due to concerns about the growing radiological hazard on site, almost all workers evacuated to the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant . Although AC power was lost, some DC power was still available in unit 3 and the workers were able to remotely confirm that

20424-418: Was in response to AEMO ordering power be cut to tens of thousands of homes rather than instructing generators to switch on The plan also further incentivised gas exploration by increasing royalties to farmers, and ensuring that gas went to South Australians first On 16 March 2017, Weatherill eviscerated then federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg at a press conference in Adelaide. Weatherill told Frydenberg

20572-412: Was lost in units 1, 2, and 4. In response, the operators assumed a loss of coolant in units 1 and 2 and developed a plan in which they would vent the primary containment and inject water into the reactor vessels with firefighting equipment. Tokyo Electric Power Company ( TEPCO ), the utility operator and owner, notified authorities of a "first-level emergency". Two workers were killed by the impact of

20720-424: Was manually reconfigured at 05:00 to recirculate water from the suppression chamber instead. On the 13th, unit 2 was configured to vent the PCV automatically (manually opening all valves, leaving only the rupture disk) and preparations were made to inject seawater from the valve pit via the FP system should the need arise. However, as a result of the explosion in unit 3 the following day, the seawater injection setup

20868-410: Was not commercially viable to generate nuclear power. Weatherill used the release of the report as an opportunity to undertake "one of the largest" deliberative democracy processes in Australia's history. Weatherill stated early that a nuclear waste facility would need both public and bipartisan support, with the former withdrawn by Liberal leader Steven Marshall. In 2015 Jay Weatherill announced that

21016-404: Was not possible, as the reactor was not producing sufficient steam. However, the water within the RPV proved sufficient to cool the fuel, with the SRVs venting into the PCV, until AC power was restored on March 13 using the unit 6 interconnection, allowing the use of the low-pressure pumps of the residual heat removal (RHR) system. Unit 5 was the first to achieve a cold shutdown in the afternoon on

21164-411: Was placed in voluntary administration by its directors due to significant debts. There were concerns that if the steelworks fell over Whyalla would be unlikely to survive, with one in six of Whyalla's workers employed by Arrium at the time. Weatherill committed $ 50 million to support the steelworks and called on the Federal Government to commit $ 100 million, to then be matched by a buyer looking to reform

21312-662: Was released on 15 February 2016, and was followed by another 5 week opportunity for public comment. Responses received were to be published on the Commission's website on 2 May 2016. As of 5 May 2016, 104 of the 170 submissions which directly addressed the Tentative Findings had been made publicly available. The Commission's final report was delivered to the South Australian Governor on 6 May 2015. Thereafter, former Commissioner Scarce continued to provide occasional briefings and presentations related to

21460-462: Was reported that the transition from the original Royal Adelaide Hospital to the new site was smooth with 131 patients transferred in the first day of operation. The hospital has been described as "the most advanced in the nation". In 2017, Weatherill announced a plan to reform South Australia's electricity supply, as a response to a number of blackouts that affected large numbers of South Australian residents and businesses in 2016. The most notable

21608-448: Was sufficient water remaining in the SFP. On the 20th, water was sprayed into the uncovered SFP, later replaced by a concrete pump truck with a boom on the 22nd. Unit 5 was fueled and was undergoing an RPV pressure test at the time of the accident, but the pressure was maintained by an external air compressor and the reactor was not otherwise operating. Removal of decay heat using the RCIC

21756-571: Was the statewide 2016 South Australian blackout . The plan included construction of a State Government-owned 250MW gas-fired power station, around 10 per cent of SA's peak demand, and grid connected utility scale battery storage (the Tesla Big Battery / Hornsdale Power Reserve ) to support the grid during periods of peak demand. The plan also included new legislative powers to ensure the South Australian energy minister could compel companies to turn on generators in peak demand periods. This

21904-435: Was unknown to the plant operators, they correctly interpreted the loss of function in the IC system and manually closed the control valves. The plant operators would continue to periodically attempt to restart the IC in the following hours and days, but it did not function. The plant operators then attempted to use the building's fire protection (FP) equipment, operated by a diesel-driven fire pump (DDFP), to inject water into

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