October 16,2009
It will be the nation’s first plutonium-thermal power generation if introduced.
Groups of local residents and scientists, together with a Japanese Communist Party representative of the prefectual assembly, lodged a protest on the same day with the power company and the Saga Prefectural Government, claiming that the planned plutonium-thermal generation is not proven safe.
The planned plutonium-thermal project uses MOX fuel (mixed-oxide of plutonium and uranium extracted from spent fuel) burnt in light-water reactors as fuel for power generation. However, existing nuclear power facilities in Japan are not designed for the use of plutonium-thermal as fuel. The project has faced strong protests because it will only increase the danger of the already-dangerous nuclear power plants.
The Saga Prefectural Assembly in its unanimous resolution is also calling for a postponement and a review of the project. - Akahata, October 16, 2009
Groups of local residents and scientists, together with a Japanese Communist Party representative of the prefectual assembly, lodged a protest on the same day with the power company and the Saga Prefectural Government, claiming that the planned plutonium-thermal generation is not proven safe.
The planned plutonium-thermal project uses MOX fuel (mixed-oxide of plutonium and uranium extracted from spent fuel) burnt in light-water reactors as fuel for power generation. However, existing nuclear power facilities in Japan are not designed for the use of plutonium-thermal as fuel. The project has faced strong protests because it will only increase the danger of the already-dangerous nuclear power plants.
The Saga Prefectural Assembly in its unanimous resolution is also calling for a postponement and a review of the project. - Akahata, October 16, 2009
