Chubu Electric Seeks OK to Use Plutonium-Mix Fuel at Nuclear Plant
Posted on: Friday, 3 March 2006, 12:00 CST
By Kyodo News International, Tokyo
Mar. 3--TOKYO -- Chubu Electric Power Co. applied Friday to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry for permission to start using plutonium-containing mixed fuel at a nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture from fiscal 2010, company officials said.
Japan's third-largest electric power utility follows three other power companies that have already obtained state permission for the so-called "pluthermal" project to make use of plutonium from spent nuclear fuel at power plants.
Under the "pluthermal," or plutonium-thermal power generation, scheme, power plants would burn plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel, or MOX, made from spent fuel, stockpiles of which have been growing rapidly. No MOX plans have yet been put into practice in Japan.
Four cities, including Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, affected by Chubu Electric Power's plan for the No.4 reactor of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, on Tuesday endorsed the move by the utility to seek permission from the ministry.
State approval will be given after examinations are conducted by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and the safety examination panel of the governmental Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Kansai Electric Power Co. had obtained state approval for using the "pluthermal" method but have hit snags in the face of local concerns following Tokyo Electric Power's coverup of safety defects and a fatal nonradioactive accident at a nuclear plant run by Kansai Electric Power.
Kyushu Electric Power Co. followed the Tokyo and Kansai utilities in securing state permission but is now getting ahead of them in promoting the project as a local governor has given his approval for the plan.
Shikoku Electric Power Co. has also applied for government approval. The safety panel is expected to present a report on the Shikoku plan shortly.
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Copyright (c) 2006, Kyodo News International, Tokyo
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Source: Kyodo News International, Tokyo
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