The earthquake in Japan has not only caused major damage in Japan, but it also has sent a wave of concern across the globe when it comes to nuclear power. As Japan fights to prevent a nuclear meltdown in their country, the rest of the world is trying to determine their stance on nuclear now and in the future.
China, which currently is not a major user of nuclear energy, has decided to suspend the building of nuclear plants they currently have under construction. They have decided to take time to closely evaluate current nuclear reactors and the stages of construction currently ongoing throughout the country.
In Germany, some nuclear reactors have been shut down, while in the Untied States concerns are being risen about the likelihood of an earthquake inflicting damage to nuclear reactors. The likelihood of radiation exposure due to a nuclear reactor in the United States is currently 1 in 74,176 each year–with the greatest potential being one reactor near New York City, at only 1 in 10,000.
Concerns about nuclear energy continue to run high, especially as Japan clearly has many years ahead of them in terms of recovery. Protests against nuclear energy have recently arisen in the country of India, where the government has plans to build six nuclear reactor in an area cited as being greatly susceptible to earthquakes.
These nuclear reactors are planned for Jaitapur, an area which has been categorized by the government as being a Zone 3 risk for earthquakes. The scale runs from 1 to 5, with 5 being the greatest risk for an earthquake. While this level of risk concerns many, a growing concern has occurred due to some experts denoting the area as actually a Zone 4 earthquake risk.
In addition, existing nuclear power plants in the country are also concerning residents of the country which fear a similar end as there has been in Japan. Two nuclear reactors at the Tarapur power station, located two hours from Mumbai, are considered a great risk due to age. The two reactors were built in 1969 assisted by General Electric. According to sources, nuclear experts in the U.S. indicated that these two reactors should have been shut down in 1995–meaning the reactors ate sixteen years past their prime.
Due to these reasons, nuclear reactors are becoming a great concern in the country of India. Protests have been staged against the use of nuclear energy and the planned construction of further reactors. The government of India has argued against Jaitapur being a Zone 4 risk and has indicated alterations were made on the two oldest reactors in Tarapur making them safe for continued use.
The nuclear plant issues currently ongoing in Japan are likely to influence the decisions made regarding the use of and building of nuclear reactors in India, China, the United States and other countries around the globe. Whether this will spell the end of nuclear energy generation worldwide is unknown, however, it has made governments reconsider their nuclear programs.
