IAEA Report Praises Fukushima Cleanup Strides

An International Atomic Energy Agency review of the cleanup at the Fukushima-Daiichi Power Station praised Japan and the Tokyo Electric Power Company for making “significant progress” at the site, but cautioned more intensive work still remains, the preliminary report said yesterday. Since the last IAEA review of the cleanup in 2013, TEPCO has made significant strides in expanding efforts to curtail groundwater contamination while also removing all fuel from Reactor Four. The IAEA also praised the company for establishing a new decommissioning entity, the Fukushima Daiichi D&D Engineering Company, as a way of giving clear responsibilities of the cleanup in the organization.

 

While progress has been made, the most difficult parts of the cleanup— damage fuel removal and radioactive waste management— still need solutions, IAEA said. “Japan has made significant progress since our previous missions. The situation on the site has improved – progressive clean-up has led to reduced radiation dose levels in many parts of the site,” said Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, in a statement. “The situation, however, remains very complex, with the increasing amount of contaminated water posing a short-term challenge that must be resolved in a sustainable manner. The need to remove highly radioactive spent fuel, including damaged fuel and fuel debris, from the reactors that suffered meltdowns poses a huge long-term challenge.”