Japan’s government drafts basic energy plan

Japan’s government has drafted a new basic energy plan that defines nuclear power as an important “base-load” energy source. The draft was adopted at Tuesday’s meeting of relevant cabinet ministers. How to define nuclear power has been a focal issue since the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, according to Japan’s (NHK WORLD) website. An initial draft issued last year defined nuclear power as an important, fundamental base energy source. The description drew criticism from members of governing parties for giving nuclear energy too high a status. “Base-load energy” refers to a power source that can continuously supply electricity day and night in a stable manner. Government officials say the phrase is a description of capability, and is not an indication of the power source’s importance in the energy market. The draft says the government will restart nuclear plants whose safety has been established by the highest standards in the world as designated by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. It says the nation’s policy of recycling spent nuclear fuel should be tackled with strategic flexibility, according to how much nuclear power plants are used in the future. The government will present the energy plan to the governing parties, and later have it approved by all members of the cabinet.