Opinion: With easing of curbs, rich geothermal resources should be utilized effectively (The Yomiuri Shimbun)
Japan, a volcanic country, is rich in geothermal resources. Wider use of geothermal power generation, which is useful in the fight against global warming, should be promoted.
The Environment Ministry has worked out a policy of easing restrictions on geothermal power generation in national or quasi-national parks. The ministry will notify prefectural governments and other entities of the new policy shortly.
After the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, expectations for renewable energy have grown. Also driven by the government’s feed-in tariff system for energy generated from renewable resources, the number of geothermal power generation projects has been rapidly increasing. There have been movements to develop geothermal power, including those at the feasibility study stage, at about 70 locations.
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