Regarding the Aug. 13 article "The power reform charade" (reprinted from Sentaku magazine): The debate about supplying electricity for Japan's future and present needs focuses on the current "accepted" forms of generation — oil, gas, nuclear and coal — but not on renewables such as wind, waves and geothermal.

In a country where there is a huge number of sources of hot water springs, geothermal energy seems to have gotten short shift for some reason.

Look at Iceland, which is making maximum use of its natural geothermal energy. Of course, Japan's utility companies love the "bigger is better" philosophy with centralized large electrical power stations, but localized generation would mean far fewer pylons across the landscape that are prone to damage.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

stewart tennyson