Utilities balk at safer storage of spent nuclear fuel to avoid 'wasted investment'

[yuiyoshida]

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Power companies have resisted government calls to construct safer storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel and are instead waiting for a fuel reprocessing plant to finally start running after nearly two decades of delays.

The utilities say that building dry storage facilities, which hold spent nuclear fuel encased in metal or concrete casks, could prove a waste of money if the Rokkasho reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture begins operations and takes all the spent fuel off their hands.

They also cite concerns in communities that host nuclear reactors that dry storage facilities could lead to permanent storage there.

Under Japan’s basic energy plan approved by the Cabinet in April last year, the central government promotes the construction and use of dry storage facilities.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201501040021

[FBaggins]

1. There isn't much evidence that it's "safer"

but that doesn't matter much in this case. The key question is whether or not Japan will push forward with spent fuel reprocessing.

It would be a wasted expense if the reprocessing plant is used.

[Quantess]

2. What could POSSIBLY go wrong?