自由時報ニュース（日最大地熱發電廠 將落腳福島）

日最大地熱發電廠 將落腳福島

日本經濟新聞」報導，日本政府可望針對開發國立公園地熱能源的實施法規鬆綁，多家日本的能源開發公司初步決定在福島縣內建設日本最大的地熱發電廠。

出光興產、國際石油開發帝石、三菱綜合材料等公司初步決定，要在福島縣內興建日本最大的地熱發電廠，預計2020年正式啟用。預估發電量為27萬千瓦，相當於1/4座核電廠的發電量，可供電約7萬戶，總工程費約1000億日圓（約新台幣470億元）。

日本國內有許多火山，地熱資源量約2347萬千瓦，居全球第3多，但是這些資源有8成位於國立公園，開發受限，所以發電量規模僅約54萬千瓦。

日本環境省即將以附帶條件的方式放寬法規，屆時除了福島縣之外，秋田縣湯澤市的栗駒國立公園內、北海道阿寒國立公園也可望開發地熱，地熱發電有可能普及，成為新的發電能源。

地熱發電不同於受天候影響的太陽能或風力發電，可穩定發電。日本自從去年311東日本大震災福島第一核電廠發生核災以後，要新建核電廠的難度增加，所以地熱發電備受關注。

地熱發電的大廠當中，日本的東芝、三菱重工業、富士電機這3家公司掌握全球市場的7成。在日本的地熱發電計畫如能順利推廣，上述各公司的技術研發速度也可望加快。 

落腳；足を下ろす、定住する

鬆綁 ；緩和

地熱発電、エコな感じでいいですね！

NHK英字ニュース（Obama refutes criticism over higher gas prices）

Obama refutes criticism over higher gas prices

In a rebuttal to Republican criticism over soaring gasoline prices, US President Barack Obama is pointing out that domestic oil production has grown during his term.

Obama campaigned in 4 states on Wednesday and Thursday, outlining his energy strategies ahead of the presidential election this fall.

In a speech at Ohio State University on Thursday, the president referred to gas prices, which have risen by 9 percent over the past month.

He said the main reason for higher gas prices is the situation in the Middle East, and that the problem cannot therefore be solved by US actions alone.

The Republican Party claims that Obama's lack of enthusiasm for domestic oil drilling is a contributing factor to the rising gas prices.

The president refuted this by saying that domestic oil production has greatly expanded during his term, and is now at its highest level in 8 years.

The higher gas prices are believed to be the main reason for the 4-point drop in Obama's approval rating earlier this month. His rating had been improving until last month.

【単語】
refute ；やり込める、論破する
rebuttal ；反論
outline；概略を説明する


refute 、rebuttal 、普段見掛けない単語ですネ！