Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall released a statement last Thursday after visiting the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan.
During her visit, she was able to see the progress that has been made in cleaning up the site. She also noted that challenges still lie ahead for recovery efforts at the site.
She states that both the U.S. and Japan consider nuclear energy to be an important base load component to energy infrastructure and generation, specifically with national and international efforts to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining necessary levels of power and reliability.
“We must learn and apply all of the lessons of the Fukushima nuclear accident in order for nuclear energy to continue to play a vital role in the transformation to a low-carbon energy future,” Sherwood-Randall said. “Success in decommissioning Fukushima Dai-ichi will require decades of investment and hard work, and we look forward to continued close cooperation with our Japanese counterparts in this important endeavor.”
Sherwood-Randall will be acting as a co-chair for the Bilateral Commission on Civil Nuclear Cooperation in three weeks. During this time the commission will be addressing issues relating to nuclear safety, clean-up operations at the Fukushima plant and other matters.
During her statement, the deputy secretary also reiterated the U.S. commitment to aid Japan with its experience in nuclear energy, decommissioning and remediation.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the U.S. government concerned with policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material.
