February 3, 2016

Nuclear operator gets approval for demolition plan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20160203_29.html

Feb. 3, 2016 - Updated 09:30 UTC+1

Japan's government has given approval for the operator of a nuclear plant in central Japan to decommission equipment around 2 of its reactors.

Chubu Electric Power Company got the approval for the 2nd phase of its decommissioning plan from the Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday.

The firm started work on the reactors at the Hamaoka plant in Shizuoka Prefecture 7 years ago, with the aim of completely decommissioning them by fiscal 2036.

The operator plans to dismantle the equipment, such as turbines and pipes for radioactive steam, by fiscal 2022 and decontaminate pressure vessels.

It estimates that the phase will yield about 5,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste, but has no dependable plan for where to dispose of it. The utility plans to tentatively keep some of the waste in buildings at the plant.

The operator says it will work with other firms in the country's power industry and take into account government policy in finding disposal sites.