Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 October 1 - 7 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Fukushima Prefectural Assembly protests utility’s reluctance to accept renewable energy

The Fukushima Prefectural Assembly on October 1 unanimously adopted a statement protesting the Tohoku Electric Power Co.’s decision to suspend purchases from renewable energy firms.

Four other utilities recently announced that they will temporarily stop accepting new applications for electricity purchases from operators of renewable power plants.

The statement states that in order for the recovery from the 2011 Fukushima meltdown accident, the prefectural government has been promoting renewable energy sources based on the recognition that it is essential to create a sustainable society without depending on nuclear power. It demands that the government instruct those utilities to accept the purchase applications again as soon as possible.

Governor Sato Yuhei commenting on the issue said, “Renewable enegy providers have a great influence on the recovery from the 2011 disaster and the growth of local economies.”