Retaining Nuclear Plants after 2030: Four Conditions

At the end of June 2012, the government´s Energy and Environment Council announced three options relating to Japan´s reliance on nuclear power plants through 2030 (see Reference Table, last page). The government plans to select one of these options as early as August. We have estimated the economic impact of costs relating to the Fukushima Daiichi accident which followed the March, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, including cleanup costs and insurance and other expenses necessary to provide against the risk of future accidents. Based on these estimates, we have in the present report highlighted those points which we believe are essential to consider if Japan relies on nuclear power plants to supply a certain portion of its electric power needs through 2030 and after. A major premise underlying our proposals is that the causes of the Fukushima Daiichi accident must be clarified and new physical and procedural safety standards established by 2030.

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