Through extreme weather and other phenomena, climate change is threatening our lives. One of the major causes of climate change is the large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by coal-fired power plants. In order to prevent climate change, the world is moving to phase out coal power.
In the midst of this, power company JERA Co., Inc. is building a new large-scale coal-fired power plant in Yokosuka, Japan. Once this power plant begins operation, it will emit not only CO2, but also large amounts of air pollutants and heated wastewater discharge, which will have significant negative impacts both locally and globally on the health of people and the environment.
We are collecting signatures to request that JERA stop the construction of the coal-fired power plant in Yokosuka. Please join us in signing this petition to protect the future of Yokosuka, and the Earth.
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Mr. Satoshi Onoda
President, JERA Co., Ltd
● Coal-fired power is the main cause of climate change and air pollution
JERA Co., Inc. is proceeding with a construction plan for an ultra-large coal-fired power plant (650 MW x 2 units = 1,300 MW) in Kurihama, Yokosuka City, which is scheduled to begin operating in 2023. However, if a coal-fired power plant goes into operation, it will emit air pollutants and accelerate climate change by emitting a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a long period of time. In order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, in which the world has pledged to prevent climate change, Japan will have to reduce the amount of coal-fired power it already has, let alone allow new construction. As the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and many others have all announced policies to retire all of their coal-fired power plants by 2030 at the latest, the world is increasingly phasing out coal power.
The construction of a coal-fired power plant in Yokosuka, which would emit 7.26 million tons of CO2 annually, would significantly deviate from Japan’s path to achieving the reduction targets of the Paris Agreement, and will bring severe international criticism.
● Priority should be given to the global environment and health of residents
Currently, the demand for electricity is decreasing due to citizens’ efforts to conserve electricity, advancement in energy-saving technology, and the dissemination of renewable energy. It is clear a coal-fueled project like this is not necessary when the supply and demand of electricity in the country is considered. It is simply unacceptable to emit large amounts of CO2 and increase the risk of health problems for local residents from heavy metals such as mercury, PM2.5 and other air pollutants. Latest research shows that there is no threshold for safety from health risks due to PM2.5, it is pointed out that there are life-threatening health risks at even below the standard value. Instead of dirty energy sources like coal, there is a need for more environmentally-friendly and sustainable sources of clean, natural energy, such as solar and wind power.
Due to various circumstances in recent years, construction plans for coal-fired power plants have been canceled in four locations (seven units in total) in Japan in the last two years. We strongly request that JERA Co., Inc., as the social responsibility of a major electric power supplier, makes the decision to cancel the construction of Yokosuka Thermal Power Station, giving priority to the health of local residents and the global environment.
Contact: Kiko Network (Tokyo Office)
E-mail: tokyo［★］
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