2011 Fukushima accidents and public policy impact Nuclear energy policy of the United States

2007 image of fukushima nuclear plant before meltdown , explosion in 2011

what had been growing acceptance of nuclear power in united states eroded sharply following 2011 japanese nuclear accidents, public support building nuclear power plants in u.s. dropping lower after 3 mile island accident in 1979. support had been @ all-time high of 69 percent in 1977, according polling new york times , cbs news. 43 percent of polled after fukushima nuclear emergency said approve building new power plants in united states. represents decline high of 57 percent in july 2008.

activists involved in u.s. anti-nuclear movement’s emergence (such graham nash , paul gunter) suggest japan’s nuclear crisis may rekindle interest in movement in united states. aim, say, not block obama administration’s push new nuclear construction, convince americans existing plants pose dangers .

march 2011 satellite photo of damaged reactors @ fukushima facilities after earthquake , tsunami

public opinion appears have been aroused regard re-licensing application of diablo canyon power plant. nuclear regulatory commission officials had planned conduct series of public meetings in january, february , march 2011 public attention in san luis obispo county turned towards question of whether plant should re-licensed subsequent public disclosure of third major fault close plant. protest leaders contend there no safe way store spent reactor fuel, other community leaders such mayor of nearby town dispute contention. in review of current trends, state sen. sam blakeslee (r-san luis obispo), holds doctorate in geophysics, quoted stating:

fundamental question whether these facilities should located next active faults , whether operated safely , said. s unfolding in japan, why approve permit these plants keep operating until every question answered?

in march 2011, 600 people gathered weekend protest outside vermont yankee nuclear plant. demonstration held show support thousands of japanese people endangered possible radiation fukushima nuclear accidents.

the new england region has long history of anti-nuclear activism , 75 people held state house rally on april 6, 2011, protest region’s aging nuclear plants , increasing stockpile of radioactive spent fuel rods @ them . protest held shortly before state house hearing legislators scheduled hear representatives of region’s 3 nuclear plants—pilgrim in plymouth, vermont yankee in vernon, , seabrook in new hampshire—talk safety of reactors in light of japanese nuclear crisis. vermont yankee , pilgrim have designs similar crippled japanese nuclear plant.

it anniversary of 3 mile island nuclear incident occasion of substantial rally in south korea in march 2011. south korean environmental activists staged anti-nuclear rally on monday, marking 32nd anniversary of 3 mile island nuclear power plant accident in united states. in pennsylvania, dozens reportedly turned out 32nd anniversary of 3 mile island event. in contrast apparently reinvigorated protests in europe, california , new england, dozens of protesters gathering @ gates of tmi plant received , in coverage received, organizers referred obliquely fukushima incident. plants age, knew [industry] profit motives rather safety motives meant there going accident”, said gene stilp, organizer of 3 mile island protest , no nukes pennsylvania member, german press agency dpa. urged united states discontinue producing nuclear energy, expressing doubt in u.s. nuclear power plants’ preparedness unforeseen natural disasters. can t control mother nature, reasoned.

the article continued quote u.s. nuclear energy foundation effect stock being put fear surrounding fukushima power plant. on policy level, united states officials wary. u.s. energy secretary steven chu told congress obama administration intends hold course on underwriting new nuclear power plants. people in united states, u.s. territories, in no danger”, chu said during fox news sunday broadcast. s unlikely exposed danger. arpa-e energy innovation summit 2011 keynote presentation, skirted nuclear issue , argued longer term more measured approach . emphasized lithium-ion batteries, high-speed rail, computerized design streamlining long-haul trucks, carbon capture , other technologies, emphasizing europe , china may surpassing usa in clean energy , roboticized manufacturing. power point presentation, , video of presentation, available online. in lead of venture capital financing, technology adaptation , deployment in many areas neck , neck china. many of comments seem broadly applicable nuclear policy, such because ve lost lead doesn t mean can t recover it. arpa-e advanced research projects agency-energy, relatively new united states government agency set promote , fund research , development.

nevertheless, nuclear disaster in japan have major effects on energy policy, according billionaire investor warren buffett. speaking on cnbc in march, buffet said united states poised move ahead nuclear plans here, events in japan derailed . radiation terrifies people , buffett told cnbc. s unseen, there s no way quantify sort of limits of might happen would surprised if there s nuclear facilities built in united states long time. moreover, japan s government , tepco response fukushima daiichi incident has been criticized worldwide, , gregory b. jaczko, chairman of nuclear regulatory commission, broke ordinary protocols overruling japanese regard public exclusion zone. result of harshly criticized japanese handling of crisis, there has been scramble eu reform nuclear policy. commentators expect have greater influence on nuclear policy worldwide.