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Environment
Greenpeace Welcomes Kan’s Scrapping Plans for New Nuclear Reactor Builds
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tokyo- (PanOrient News) Greenpeace welcomed today Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s "ambitious" proposal to scrap the construction of 14 new nuclear reactors. A statement by Junichi Sato, Greenpeace Japan Executive Director, said that “this announcement could put Japan’s energy policy on a new path of clean, renewable technologies, what we need now is the will and commitment to see it through.”
“To ensure that the health and safety of the Japanese people is put first, and strong action on countering climate change is taken, the Japanese government must now phase out all existing nuclear plants and pursue Prime Minister Kan’s promise of a clean, renewable, and energy efficient future for Japan,” according to the statement.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan told a news conference on Tuesday that Japan needs to scrap its existing basic plan on energy and design a new one from scratch, in light of the worst nuclear crisis in the country.
The basic plan calls for the establishment of at least 14 nuclear power reactors to help Japan double the proportion of non-carbon-dioxide-emitting electric power sources to 70 pct by 2030.
Indicating a willingness to shift the focus away from atomic energy, Kan said emphasis should be placed on energy conservation and alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International Executive Director, commenting on the international effect of Japan’s decision, called on governments around the world to "follow Japan’s lead, and adopt energy policies based on clean and renewable energy sources, instead of waiting for disaster to strike.”
PanOrient News
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