Press Release Back Number(2004)

Permission to Build Transformer Recycling Center (Provisional Name)

November 22, 2004
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

We plan to build a recycling facility (provisionally called the "Transformer Recycling Center") for the purpose of cleaning pole transformers whose insulating oil was accidentally contaminated by a minute quantity of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). This cleaning will allow the recycling of these transformers into their component materials and subsequent reuse. This facility will be located on the premises of the Nishi-Nagoya Thermal Power Plant (in Tobishima-mura, Ama-gun). In accordance with the Law on Waste Disposal and Cleaning (Waste Disposal Law), we have applied to Aichi Prefecture for permission to build an industrial waste disposal facility, for which we received permission today.

It was discovered in 1989 that the insulating oil used in our pole transformers was contaminated by a minute quantity of PCB at levels of up to several dozen ppm. We drained the insulating oil (low-concentration PCB insulating oil) from these transformers, and have since separately stored the oil and transformers.

For the low-concentration PCB insulating oil, we are now building a processing facility (the Insulating Oil Recycling Center) on property that we own within the No.9 Nagoya Port Area in Shiomi-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya City.

To process pole transformers from which insulating oil has been drained, we will build a facility tentatively named the Transformer Recycling Center. We plan to clean the transformers to remove low-concentration PCB insulating oil that remains on the surface of containers and internal components, then recycle the transformers into various materials such as iron and copper. The insulating oil removed will be sent to our Insulating Oil Recycling Center for decomposition processing.

Following preparatory work to establish this center, we plan to begin construction around March 2005 and begin operations in the second half of FY 2007.

We ask for your understanding as we seek to process and recycle the PCB waste in the manner required.