Naoto Kan in New York

October 9, 2013

Ex-PM Kan brings anti-nuclear message to New York

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131009p2g00m0dm032000c.html

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan spoke about his experience with the Fukushima nuclear disaster in New York City on Tuesday, warning that a major accident at the nearest nuclear plant would force an evacuation of Manhattan.

The two-reactor Indian Point Energy Center has faced criticism from the public and from New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who says the plant should be shut down because of the complications involved in evacuation.

Kan spoke at a panel along with former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko, former NRC Commissioner Peter Bradford, and retired nuclear engineer Arnie Gunderson.

Jaczko said that the plant's operator Entergy should consider phasing it out of service. The plant is located less than 70 kilometers from New York City.

Former PM Kan has become active both domestically and overseas on energy policy. He spoke on the Fukushima disaster and the importance of developing sustainable energy in Taiwan in September and California in June.

Kan and the other panelists were scheduled to speak in Boston on Wednesday. Boston is located around 70 kilometers from the 40-year old Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station.