Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Japan:

Geothermal Power Plants May be Allowed in Parks (NHK)

GRC Board of Directors' Member Shigeto Yamada 
appears in the video
The article includes a 1:18 minute video including a glimpse of GRC Board Member Shigeto Yamada sitting on the advisory panel.

A panel of Japan's Environment Ministry has come up with a basic plan to conditionally allow geothermal power generation in national parks.

Japan is thought to have the world's 3rd-largest geothermal resources thanks to its many regions of volcanic activity. But development of the resources is lagging, as 80 percent is in national parks where such development is restricted.

The plan compiled on Tuesday says a 1974 government directive restricting development in national parks should be abolished.

The plan includes a proposal that construction of wells to draw underground steam should be allowed if slanting pipes are inserted outside the parks, if such work does not affect scenery.

Based on the recommendations, the ministry plans to decide next month on a new policy on geothermal power development.