UPI en Español  |   UPI Asia  |   About UPI  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Plan would make Japan nuke-free by 2040

|
 
The crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant is seen in Okumamachi, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan in this March 20, 2011, aerial photo taken by a small unmanned drone and released by AIR PHOTO SERVICE. From left: Unit 1, partially seen; Unit 2, Unit 3 and Unit 4. UPI/Air Photo Service Co. Ltd.
The crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant is seen in Okumamachi, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan in this March 20, 2011, aerial photo taken by a small unmanned drone and released by AIR PHOTO SERVICE. From left: Unit 1, partially seen; Unit 2, Unit 3 and Unit 4. UPI/Air Photo Service Co. Ltd. 
License photo
Published: Sept. 14, 2012 at 6:06 PM

TOKYO, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A government panel in Tokyo Friday introduced a plan to phase out nuclear power as a major source of electricity for Japanese consumers.

The deadly disaster at the Fukushima nuclear facility following an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 has raised widespread concern about nuclear power in the earthquake-prone country, Voice of America reported.

The compromise plan calls for shutting down all nuclear power facilities by 2040. However, reactors found to be safe would be allowed to restart.

The new energy policy calls for investing almost $500 billion over the next two decades to expand renewable sources like wind and solar power.

Before the earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima facility, about a third of Japan's electricity was produced by nuclear plants. All but two of the plants have been shut down since May.

Questions about the plants' ability to withstand natural disasters have raised significant resistance to the renewed use of nuclear power as a source of energy, The Wall Street Journal reported.

In a survey conducted by the government, 87 percent said they wanted to get rid of nuclear power altogether. Other polls have found opinions a little more nuanced -- 30 percent to 40 percent want a nuclear-free Japan while an equal number say nuclear power should be no more than 15 percent of total energy production.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is expected to call for new elections by early next year and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party has not said whether it would be bound by the plan if it regained control.

The Federation of Electric Power Companies called the plan "very regrettable," arguing that it will raise energy prices and increase greenhouse gas emissions as the country falls back on more fossil fuels during the expansion of renewable energy sources.

Topics: Yoshihiko Noda
Recommended Stories
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening NBC upfronts Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York Spire raised on top of One WTC 2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces
Additional World News Stories
1 of 14
The 2013 Billboard Music Awards
View Caption
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
The pope goes to Church to catch up on sleep, just like every other Catholic
Pro tip: If you're going to butt-dial someone, make sure it's not 9-1-1 while you are breaking into...
Photo of monster sized hailstones that fell out of the sky in Oklahoma City today
Sarah Palin did not see this coming
Two puppies devoured by king cobra after falling into well. Sorry, did I say devoured? I meant saved...
Home invader learns THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE