nuclear-news

TEPCO claims that radioactive substances now responsibility of landowners, not TEPCO

TEPCO: Radioactive substances belong to landowners, not us, By TOMOHIRO IWATA / Asahi Shimbun Weekly AERA, 24 Nov During court proceedings concerning a radioactive golf course, Tokyo Electric Power Co. stunned lawyers by saying the utility was not responsible for decontamination because it no longer “owned” the radioactive substances.

“Radioactive materials (such as cesium) that scattered and fell from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant belong to individual landowners there, not TEPCO,” the utility said.

That argument did not sit well with the companies that own and operate
the Sunfield Nihonmatsu Golf Club, just 45 kilometers west of the
stricken TEPCO plant in Fukushima Prefecture.

The Tokyo District Court also rejected that idea.

But in a ruling described as inconsistent by lawyers, the court
essentially freed TEPCO from responsibility for decontamination work,
saying the cleanup efforts should be done by the central and local
governments.

Although the legal battle has moved to a higher court, observers said
that if the district court’s decision stands and becomes a precedent,
local governments’ coffers could be drained.

The two golf companies in August filed for a provisional disposition
with the Tokyo District Court, demanding TEPCO decontaminate the golf
course and pay about 87 million yen ($1.13 million) for the upkeep
costs over six months…..
By TOMOHIRO IWATA / Asahi Shimbun Weekly AERA
During court proceedings concerning a radioactive golf course, Tokyo
Electric Power Co. stunned lawyers by saying the utility was not
responsible for decontamination because it no longer “owned” the
radioactive substances.

“Radioactive materials (such as cesium) that scattered and fell from
the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant belong to individual landowners
there, not TEPCO,” the utility said.

That argument did not sit well with the companies that own and operate
the Sunfield Nihonmatsu Golf Club, just 45 kilometers west of the
stricken TEPCO plant in Fukushima Prefecture.

The Tokyo District Court also rejected that idea.

But in a ruling described as inconsistent by lawyers, the court
essentially freed TEPCO from responsibility for decontamination work,
saying the cleanup efforts should be done by the central and local
governments.

Although the legal battle has moved to a higher court, observers said
that if the district court’s decision stands and becomes a precedent,
local governments’ coffers could be drained.

The two golf companies in August filed for a provisional disposition
with the Tokyo District Court, demanding TEPCO decontaminate the golf
course and pay about 87 million yen ($1.13 million) for the upkeep
costs over six months…..
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201111240030

December 3, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, Legal