Former US Nuclear Chief Wants Nuclear Phased Out

When a former US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) chief speaks out against nuclear energy, you know there’s something to it.

Gregory Jaczko, who headed the NRC during the time of the Fukushima meltdown, says he’s since changed his mind about the safety of nuclear power and believes it should be phased out worldwide.

While the safety of nuclear plants was always a concern, after seeing the way the Fukushima accident unfolded with experts so unprepared, that convinced him that accidents are bound to happen regardless of preparedness – it will be something we didn’t predict.

Although Tepco was not sufficiently prepared for a disaster, it was the earthquake – that couldn’t be predicted – that did them in (of course, it would be helpful not to build nukes in earthquake zones).

Speaking at an event marking the three year anniversary of Fukushima, Jaczko said, "The lesson has to be: This kind of accident is unacceptable to society." And accidents are inevitable. 

"The question Japan has to ask itself is: Is the country willing to have another accident? And if the answer is no, then the answer has to be no more nuclear power," he told JapanRealTime.

In the US, when the NRC moved to approve the first new nuclear reactors in 30 years, Jaczko’s was the only NO vote. "I cannot support issuing this license as if Fukushima had never happened," he said, and left his post three years into his five year term. 

Tens of thousands of people had to leave their homes and many still can’t return three years later. Trillions of yen will end up being spent on compensation, land decontamination and scrapping the plant.

Unfortunately, China in particular plans to build many new reactors, but he predicts that will be it for the industry once their lifecycle ends. 40-60 years is a long time to wait though.

Which Way Will Japan Go?

Jaczko makes his remarks as Japan’s government decides whether to return to nuclear power. Public polls show 80% of citizens are against it; Fukushima has plans for 100% renewable energy.

In Japan, five former prime ministers have come out against returning to nuclear. Naoto Kan, who before the meltdown was pro-nuclear, says he looks forward to solar displacing the need for nuclear. His home gets all electricity from solar now.

Unfortunately, current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a militaristic right-winger, wants to restart as many as 48 reactors. He’s gone so far to install a State Secrets Act: citizens face 10 years in prison for criticizing nuclear energy; independent media can be banned or arrested at Fukushima, covering the continuing disaster – radiated water still leaks into the ocean – in a shroud of darkness. 

One sailor has documented a massive 2000-mile dead zone stretching from Fukushima, and sea life is disappearing: sea lion pups, sardines, salmon, killer whales, among them.

Read our article, Renewable Energy Can Replace Nuclear Plants.