“Japan and energy: What's

the alternative?”

As Japan's earthquake and tsunami ripped through the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the wind turbines

at nearby Takine Ojiroi Wind Farm did what they were designed to do: They swayed, they stopped, they

electronically checked themselves and automatically restarted. "Except for one turbine that was very close to

the nuclear power plant, all the turbines were up and running after the quake.” As a source of power, wind

energy is about as clean, safe and earthquake-proof as it gets -- the problem is it generates a fraction of Japan's energy needs. Compared with the massive 4,696MW

output of the six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the 23 turbines at can produce just 46MW -- enough

for 30,000 households. Currently, Japan gets 27% of its power from coal, 26% from gas, 24% from nuclear, 13%

from oil, and 8% from hydro. The remaining 2% is occupied by renewables such as geothermal power stations, solar

and wind. As exciting as alternatives may seem, the answer to Japan's future energy needs is likely to come

from more traditional sources.

In Other NewsIn Other News 1634 - Maryland was founded by English colonists sent by the 1634 - Maryland was founded by English colonists sent by the

second Lord Baltimore.second Lord Baltimore. 1807 - Britain abolished its slave trade.1807 - Britain abolished its slave trade. 1911 - A fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. factory in New York City 1911 - A fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. factory in New York City

killed 146 workers, most of them young immigrant women. The killed 146 workers, most of them young immigrant women. The tragedy galvanized America's labor movement.tragedy galvanized America's labor movement.

1996 - The redesigned $100 bill went into circulation.1996 - The redesigned $100 bill went into circulation.

CANCUN, Mexico — A tourist has been attacked by a shark after CANCUN, Mexico — A tourist has been attacked by a shark after ignoring warnings to stay out of the water, according to a ignoring warnings to stay out of the water, according to a lifeguard in the Mexican resort of Cancun. Gaviotas beach lifeguard in the Mexican resort of Cancun. Gaviotas beach lifeguard Lazaro Magana said the victim was taken to the hospital lifeguard Lazaro Magana said the victim was taken to the hospital Thursday with an 8-inch wound in her foot. The woman ventured Thursday with an 8-inch wound in her foot. The woman ventured 100 yards into the water even though he warned swimmers to 100 yards into the water even though he warned swimmers to stay away because of the possible presence of sharks. It was the stay away because of the possible presence of sharks. It was the second shark attack in the hotel zone of Cancun in less than two second shark attack in the hotel zone of Cancun in less than two months. months.