Energy policy for Japan
There has been much discussion and debate about Japan's energy policy since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami critically damaged the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor in northern Japan. And for good reason there is debate. For years, Japan has been dependent on nuclear energy to generate a significant portion of its energy needs. Both monopolistic utility companies and the government have preached to the public about the safety of the technology. Communities and towns, uncertain of the propaganda, allowed nuclear power generation plants to be built nearby in order to secure jobs and cheap energy.
Now Japan debates if it should abandon nuclear power generation in favor of something "safer". Now, wait for a moment and let's look at the big picture. First, Japan built these plants quite simply because it has almost no natural resources. The alternatives are oil, natural gas and coal. All of which need to be imported and put Japan at some financial volatility as market prices change. Second point to consider is that the Fukushima accident was a result of improper management, maintenance and operations of a nuclear power generation plant by TEPCO. This was an aging reactor that was not maintained to the specifications of the company that built it. TEPCO lacked the foresight to anticipate a significant event. Nuclear energy is dangerous only went mismanaged.
The answer is to fix the problem, not abandon the opportunity. Here are my suggestions for Japan's new energy policy:
Maintain a series of nuclear power generation sites that supply roughly 50% of the nation's power needs. But not more.
Upgrade aging reactors with current generation models that are considerably safer.
Establish an independent nuclear power safety review board that reports findings to the government, local governments, the utilities and the IAEA.
Establish an alternative and 'green' power generation plan that supplies 20% of the nation's electricity via clean renewable resources by 2020.
Japan should continue to be a world leader in mainstream and innovative ways to reduce and conserve energy use.
We are going to have to live with the consequences of the Fukushima accident for a long, long time. Let's demonstrate we learned something from this event that helps to shape a better future for Japan.
