At a meeting with local governments, the central government has proposed 12 candidate sites for construction of interim storage facilities in Fukushima Prefecture to hold soil and other waste contaminated by radioactive substances released by Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
If such facilities cannot be built, decontamination work will grind to a halt, impeding the progress of reconstruction from the March 11, 2011, disaster. The central government must make all-out efforts to obtain the understanding and support of the local governments to realize early construction of the storage facilities.
All 12 candidate sites in the towns of Futaba, Okuma and Naraha, are in the vicinity of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
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A realistic proposal
The original plan to construct a large intermediate storage facility in each of these three towns was revised in consideration of geological and transportation factors, expanding the area for candidate sites. This obviously made the proposal more realistic.
But some local people have expressed concern that their return home will become more difficult if such facilities are constructed near their houses.
After obtaining approval from local governments, the central government plans to conduct a precise geological survey before launching design and construction work on interim storage facilities. The construction of facilities that can thoroughly prevent contaminant seepage must be very well planned.
According to the Environment Ministry, the volume of soil to be decontaminated in the prefecture will be from 15 million to 28 million cubic meters, or up to 23 times the volume of Tokyo Dome.
The government plan calls for first collecting contaminated soil and waste at preliminary storage sites to be prepared in various parts of the prefecture. The material will be stored there for about three years, covered with soil to prevent the escape of radiation. It will then be transferred to the intermediate storage facilities and later transported to final disposal sites to be built within 30 years.
However, if construction sites for the interim storage facilities are not decided by next spring, it will become impossible to maintain even the preliminary storage sites, and this will slow down the decontamination work.
The local governments have called on the central government to discuss damage compensation and reconstruction plans together with plans to build the intermediate facilities.
The government compiled in July a basic policy for the reconstruction and revival of Fukushima Prefecture that includes fostering renewable energy industries. It has also put forth a policy to build “temporary towns” where evacuees can live before returning to their original homes and has worked out damage compensation guidelines.
Thus, in policy terms, it can be said that the foundation has been laid for construction of the intermediate storage facilities.
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Fukushima Prefecture’s role vital
The Fukushima prefectural government’s role in advancing decontamination work is crucial. We hope the prefecture will take a more active role in coordination work between the central government and local municipalities.
Concern is smoldering among the local municipalities that interim storage facilities will end up as de facto final disposal sites.
Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has said that transportation of contaminated soil outside the prefecture can be achieved within 30 years. With plenty of time remaining in that regard, we suggest that discussions on final disposal sites be launched after observing how the situation develops.
– source yomiuri.co.jp