nuclear-news

Japan’s auditors call for cut in nuclear subsidies

Auditors Call for Large Cut in Funds for Nuclear Subsidies, Chem Info TOKYO, Oct. 6 (Kyodo) — Government auditors said Wednesday funds set aside for subsidies to municipalities that would host nuclear reactors can be slashed by about 65.7 billion yen as construction projects of reactors have been stalled.

The Board of Audit of Japan called on the industry ministry not to accumulate excessive funds for nuclear reactor construction projects that are unlikely to proceed, saying, “Huge expenses will be needed for the future to reconstruct areas damaged by the March natural disaster and to secure the safety of nuclear plants” in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Funds have been set aside to make up for any shortfall in subsidies paid out to local communities in case ongoing projects to build 14 reactors there get under way at around the same time.

While the government hopes to set aside about 190.6 billion yen to that end, only three of the 14 reactors being planned for construction are actually being built…..

Of the roughly 123.1 billion yen left in the funds at the end of March, about 65.7 billion yen can be slashed because many of the reactor-building projects have not proceeded as planned, the auditors said in its report, adding that about 7.3 billion yen would suffice for the three reactors being built…..

October 6, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, politics