Japan cities press utility to switch from nuclear
Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:50am EST
* Mayors say no utility should depend on single energy source
* Only two of 54 reactors on stream a year after nuclear disaster
* Government wants some units restarted to cope with summer demand

By Risa Maeda

TOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Three of Japan's major cities called for Kansai Electric Power Co, its second largest nuclear generator, to draw up a plan to switch to other energy sources nearly a year after the country suffered the world's worst nuclear accident in 25 years.

The mayors of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, home to a total of 5.7 million people, on Monday submitted questions on prospects for alternative energy supplies and price incentives to curb demand.

The cities hold a total 12 percent stake in Kansai. Nuclear power accounted for 44 percent of demand in Kansai's base in western Japan in the year to March 2011 -- making it the country's most nuclear-dependent utility.

Only two of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors are on stream after an earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Daiichi plant, run by Tokyo Electric Power Co., or Tepco, the largest nuclear operator....