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Ongoing debate on geothermal development near National parks in Japan

Ongoing debate on geothermal development near National parks in Japan Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Japan (Source: Flickr, CC, By: Antoine)
Francisco Rojas 23 Jun 2015

Should protected parks be opened to geothermal drilling?

In a very interesting article in The Japan News, the Asian country is still facing a difficult debate, on whether national parks should be opened to geothermal energy use.

The country needs to provide more electricity and geothermal can be one of the best ways to increase said supply. The problem is that some of the best sites for geothermal use are in National Park areas and no development is allowed.

According to the Japanese newspaper, “an Environment Ministry study commission held a conference on April 23 to newly establish guidelines for geothermal power plants at national and quasi-national parks” yet fierce opposition appeared when Class 1 special zones where brought up regarding digging production wells. It is expected that the final guidelines will be drafted next month.

On one side, conservationists argue that directional and conventional drilling should be banned in these areas while academics and members of the geothermal industry agree that no plant should be built directly on the protected areas, but directional drilling should be allowed.

Geothermal companies have been blocked consistently from doing further research so far but some middle ground needs to be addressed since geothermal, when used correctly, is a renewable, clean energy source with minimal impact.

Source: The Japan News