Despite government assertions, nuclear power is not pollution-free

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Despite government assertions, nuclear power is not pollution-free

Contrary to the government claim that nuclear power is pollution-free, nuclear power plants and nuclear-fuel production facilities in Japan have emitted almost the same amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) as the average mid-sized thermal power station does.

In promoting nuclear power generation, the government and business circles have touted it as a clean energy source that does not emit CO2 at all.

However, according to the data for fiscal 2006 and 2007, which Akahata obtained based on freedom of access to information held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment, these nuclear-related plants and facilities emitted greenhouse gases of 820,000 tons in total.

Those facilities consume huge amounts of electric power to produce nuclear fuel, handle spent-nuclear fuel, conduct maintenance checks, and dispose of radioactive materials.

The Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture pumped out 109,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the largest amount of all nuclear power plants in Japan.

Despite being under suspension, the fast-breeder reactor "Monju" (Fukui Pref.) also released about 40,000 tons of such gases because it needs huge amounts of electricity to keep the sodium as the reactor coolant at a moderate temperature.

- Akahata, April 30, 2009