Radioactive “Fukushima Green”: Weak And Disoriented EU Rebrands Nuclear Power As “Green” Amid Energy Price Surge

Posted on : 08/07/2022 By
Radioactive “Fukushima Green”: Weak And Disoriented EU Rebrands Nuclear Power As “Green” Amid Energy Price Surge
Global Economy Geopolitics Sovereign Info Network 

Far more radiation was released across the world after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster than the Japanese government has claimed, new global data conclude. The study on the post-earthquake disaster combines radioactivity data from around the world to estimate the scale and fate of emissions from the plant, that has reached across the world. (Read more: A global threat: Fukushima fallout damaged the thyroids of California babies.)

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to categorize nuclear power and gas as environmentally sustainable amid a record energy price surge.

In a 328-278 vote, the European Commission survived an attempt by the EU Parliament to block its designation of nuclear energy and gas production “as transitional activities contributing to climate change mitigation.” The move will likely increase investment, but gas producers must follow emission guidelines to be eligible.

Many point to disruptions in the energy market brought by the war in Ukraine as a factor behind climbing fuel costs. While the European Union has opted to expand development of alternative forms of energy, President Joe Biden has asked Americans to endure high gas prices for “as long as it takes” to defend against Russia’s invasion. Biden has released some oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and canceled other large domestic gas opportunities. Much of the strategic reserve oil has gone to other nations in an effort to wean them off Russian gas.

U.S. gas prices peaked in June at more than $5 per gallon, the highest recorded national average according to AAA.

The change in policy was opposed primarily by center-left and left-wing members of the EU Parliament. Many argued the shift would make the European Union more dependent on Russia. But embracing nuclear power may help decouple European nations from the Russian energy market. Many German officials have expressed regret over the country’s pivot away from nuclear power, lamenting that they have become more dependent on Putin as a result.

If neither Parliament nor Council object to the proposal by July 11, 2022, the act will enter into force and apply as of January 1, 2023, the European Parliament said. 

The EU could reject the “green” status for gas and nuclear if 20 out of the EU’s 27 member states reject it, which is highly unlikely, analysts say.

The European Commission updated earlier this year its Taxonomy Complementary Climate Delegated Act on climate change mitigation and adaptation covering certain gas and nuclear activities. Under the new taxonomy, some gas projects, including several pipelines, were given a “sustainable investment” status. Gas projects are “transitional” if they contribute to the transition from coal to renewables, the EU says.  

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