Back to 2007 listReference : Plan for Using Plutonium Recovered at Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, February 23, 2007)
February 23, 2007
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Japan Nuclear Fuel's Rokkasho reprocessing plant has been conducting active testing with spent nuclear fuel since March 2006. During these tests, plutonium is being recovered as the product of reprocessing. In order to ensure transparency, Japan's electric utilities have formulated plans for the use of this plutonium. Their plans may be found in the attachment.
"Japan's Basic Principles for the Use of Plutonium," determined by the Atomic Energy Commission on August 5, 2003, require that Japanese electric power companies announce plans for use of plutonium recovered at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant. In addition, the "Nuclear Power Policy and Principles" adopted by the Atomic Energy Commission on October 11, 2005 and endorsed by the Cabinet three days later states that "In accordance with these principles, electric utilities, etc. should make appropriate disclosures of their plans for using plutonium."
We in the electric utility industry are working toward a goal of implementing pluthermal energy in 16 - 18 reactors by FY2010. Initially this pluthermal energy will use MOX fuel that is fabricated overseas from the raw material of plutonium, which is owned by the utilities and kept overseas (see attachment). After completion of a Japanese MOX fuel fabrication plant, we will begin switching to the use of the MOX fuel produced here.
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