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Coming to an End – Dreams of Monju Fast Breeder Nuclear Reactor

Opponents of nuclear power in Japan rally outside the Monju fast breeder reactor. Getty Images
Summer Quarterly 2018
By Kelly Lundeen

The Monju fast-breeder nuclear reactor in central Japan is the latest to join the long line of failed experiments to prove functionality or safety of breeder technology. Even though Monju has been largely shutdown since an accident in 1995, proponents of breeder reactor technology held out hope that the project could be an example of a reactor that would be able to power the world into the future with nuclear while recycling waste from other nuclear reactors. Monju carried on until 2016 when it was slated for decommissioning after other fast breeder projects in the US, United Kingdom, Germany and France threw in the towel. On March 28, 2018 Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority put the final nail in the coffin of Monju when they approved a plan for decommissioning.

Construction of Monju began in 1986 after 20 years of planning. Less than a year after going online in 1994 there was a fire from a leak of sodium coolant that led to its shutdown and a scandalous cover-up. After the accident it remained mostly inoperative, with concerns about its safety resulting from failures of equipment inspections. In 2016 it was discovered that several inspections had been omitted completely. That same year, due to safety issues coupled with cost overruns, the Japanese government made the decision to decommission. Investment in the failed project ended up costing the people of Japan nearly $9.5 billion US and now will cost them another $3.5 billion to decommission.

Under the plan to decommission 530 radioactive fuel rods will be extracted by 2023 with the remainder of the facility to be demolished by 2047. However there is no process yet designated for removal of the 760 tons of radioactive sodium coolant. There is also no destination for the radioactive waste fuel rods beyond placing them in an onsite storage pool.

Monju was a breeder reactor, meaning that it was supposed to extend the capacity to produce electricity by running the used fuel through the reactor to release more of its energy. It would “breed” by producing more fissile fuel products, plutonium-239 or uranium- 233, than were used as “starter” fuel in the form of uranium-238 or thorium-232. The hope for breeder technology was that the world could continue to rely on nuclear energy long after the world’s supply of oil and uranium, used in conventional reactors and once thought to be scarce, is depleted. The other, more noble, goal of the technology was that it could be used to rid the world of radioactive waste by recycling the waste plutonium from conventional reactors.

In over 60 years of development breeder reactor experiments have been plagued with problems. There has not been a successful example after tens of billions of dollars of research. Many breeder reactors, such as Monju, used liquid sodium as a coolant, an extremely dangerous chemical that ignites on contact with air and explodes on contact with water. “Despite its theoretical attractiveness in converting non-fissile into fissile material, the breeder reactor has turned out to be a far tougher technology than thermal reactors. Unfortunately the dream of breeder reactors has remained a theory. The magic of fuel multiplication has not yet been realized on any meaningful scale.”  Written nearly 20 years ago by Arjun Makhijani and Scott Saleska in The Nuclear Power Deception, this assertion has only been affirmed. Russia, India and China continue to invest in development of breeder reactors. Joyo, Japan’s other fast breeder reactor, is currently non-operational.

Nikkei Asian Review, Ap. 6 and Mar. 28, 2018, The Nuclear Power Deception, Arjun Makhijani and Scott Saleska

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German Campaigners See Progress in Confronting US Nuclear Weapons

Outside the main gate into Büchel Air Base, peace camp organizer Marion Küpker (center) gave “newcomers” an introduction to the nuclear weapons site and the 20-year history of protest there.
Summer Quarterly 2018

On March 26, nuclear abolitionists in Germany launched 20 weeks of nonviolent resistance at Büchel Air Base, continuing until August 9, 2018. The base controls 20 US nuclear bombs, a remnant of the US Cold War nuclear arsenal that used to number in the thousands.

The March start date is the anniversary of the bi-partisan approval in 2010 by the German Bundestag or Parliament to urge the government to permanently remove the remaining US bombs.

In spite of near unanimous German public opinion that the bombs should be permanently withdrawn (a 2016 poll showed that 89% of the German public is against the US nukes), German pilots are both trained and obligated to take off with these bombs in their Tornado jet fighter-bombers and—if the orders come from a US president through NATO—to use them on their targets.

Germany’s peace movement is the only one in Europe that has built a nation-wide campaign coalition of 50 groups and organizations—called “Büchel is everywhere—nuclear weapons-free now!”—focused on nuclear abolition. Its goals are the removal of the US bombs, cancellation of the B61-12 replacement bomb, and seeing the country ratify the new International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In the last few years, because of increased military hostility toward Russia, and NATO discussion of “usable low-yield” nuclear weapons, the Campaign Council has endorsed nonviolent civil resistance at the Büchel Air Base to bring more attention to the issue. Besides lobby work to halt the B61 replacement, the council increases awareness and political pressure using nonviolent direct action.

Last February 3rd, German Social Democratic Party members of the European Parliament met in a regional conference and unanimously approved a motion to withdraw all remaining US nuclear weapons from Germany. At the SDP’s regional association convention in Rhineland, EP member Norbert Neuser issued a letter to members that said in part, “I know that this initiative does not necessarily meet the goodwill of the party in Berlin, but I agree absolutely with the compliant by [former SDP leader] Martin Schulz who made in the [2017] election campaign a clear call for the abolition of the last nuclear weapons from Germany.”

B61-12 Cancellation Bills to Support
Warheads discussing bombs. A congressional hearing room with a mock-up of a new B61-12 hydrogen bomb being developed as a $10-$13 billion make-work program to needlessly replace earlier models.

Parallel House and Senate bills that would prohibit spending on new and so-called “smaller” nuclear weapons including the B61-12 are under consideration in congress. The bills are H.R. 2668, the “Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act” introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, and S. 1235 its tandem measure in the senate. While far from the global rejection of nuclear weapons embodied in the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the bills would halt spending for the new B61 gravity bomb; adding nuclear weapons carrying capability to the R-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet; any new air-launched Cruise missile (known as Long Range Stand-Off); and any replacement of today’s 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles like the proposed $100 billion “Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.” Call your Congressional Rep’s and Senators and urge their support and co-sponsorship of these bills.

Germany’s Bank to Divest from Nuclear Weapons

Expanding its investment restrictions, Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest, has agreed to exclude nuclear weapons producers. A statement on its website announced: “The policy published today makes clear that Deutsche Bank avoids entering into, or continuing, any kind of business relationship with entities with clear, direct links to the following types of controversial weapons business: Cluster Munitions; Anti-Personnel Mines; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Weapons; Controversial Conventional Weapons.” Maaike Beenens, with the group Don’t Bank on the Bomb, welcomes the new policy by Deutsche Bank, saying “With the new policy, Deutsche Bank clearly recognizes that investments in any type of nuclear weapons companies are unacceptable. With growing threats to use nuclear weapons, this announcement is a timely reminder of the choice we all face—nuclear weapons or our collective future. We welcome this decision, and hope to see divestment by Deutsche Bank from all nuclear weapon producers.” The move follows intense pressure and negotiations by campaigners from Don’t Bank on the Bomb and ICAN Germany, who will be watching closely to see that the bank follows through with divestment.

Second US Delegation to Join International Peace Actions at Germany’s Deployment Site for US H-Bombs

The German-wide campaign “Büchel  is Everywhere: Nuclear Weapons-free Now!” demands: 1) that the remaining 20 US H-bombs at Büchel be sent home permanently; 2) that they not be replaced with new bombs as the US intends, and 3) that Germany ratify the new nuclear weapons ban treaty. A delegation from the United States coordinated by Nukewatch will join “International Week” at the Büchel peace camp, July 10-18. For  info. visit the websites buechel-atombombenfrei.de, where you can endorse the campaign by signing a “Declaration of Solidarity.”

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Screw Nevada…and New Mexico and Texas

Summer Quarterly 2018
This inflatable model of a high-level radioactive waste transport can is bringing needed attention to the dangers and proposed routes the material would use if Nevada, New Mexico, or Texas are licensed to build dump sites.

The Trump Administration and some in Congress have moved to revive the Yucca Mountain waste repository in Nevada for up to 80,000 tons of waste reactor fuel, and to move ahead with the lesser known “Centralized Interim Storage” (CIS) proposals for the same waste. Two potential CIS sites are currently seeking licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, even prior to Congressional approval: Holtec International/Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance’s facility in New Mexico, for 173,600 metric tons; and Waste Control Specialists’ expansion of their Texas facility to allow storage of 40,000 metric tons. In a strong show of resistance, 233 citizens have publicly opposed Holtec’s proposal at six public hearings. If licensing of Yucca Mountain or a CIS facility were approved, thousands of high-risk shipments of the waste, on highways, railroads and barges, would endanger a third of the US population that lives along transport routes that run through 44 states. In May, the House voted 340-72 to adopt H.R. 3053 which would resume the Yucca Mountain licensing process and authorize CIS. Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada slammed the bill which critics have labeled “Screw Nevada Act,” and “Mobile Chernobyl.” Sen. Masto said a senate version of the bill is “dead on arrival” and called the $15 billion already spent on the Yucca project “a massive waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Submit comments regarding the environmental scoping of the Holtec CIS facility. Click here for sample comments from Beyond Nuclear. See updates from Halt Holtec who organized the opposition to the Holtec CIS proposal at hearings.

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Trump Orders Perry to Stop Retirements of Failed Nuclear & Coal Generators

Summer Quarterly 2018

As nuclear power reactors age, the chances for catastrophic accidents increase because the equipment wears out. Most in the US have reached or exceeded their 40-year licenses. Utility Dive reports that President Trump has directed Energy Secretary Rick Perry to stop the closure of coal and nuclear generators, pushed offline by cheaper electricity from natural gas and renewables. The order came the same day Trump directed secretary Perry to consider using the Federal Power Act and the Defense Production Act to bail out dirty, bankrupt nuclear reactors and coal power plants that can’t compete any longer with wind, solar, natural gas or efficiency programs. The possibility of extraordinary federal intervention—made possible by laws enacted for use during national emergencies like wars, hurricanes or floods—was called “legally indefensible” by the diverse group of experts.

A statement issued the same day by a broad coalition of industry, consumer and environmental groups including oil, gas, efficiency, solar and wind representatives condemned Trump’s announced bailout as unnecessary, counterproductive and harmful to ratepayers.

“Government assistance” to failed coal and nuclear reactor operators “under the guise of national security” would be “misguided,” said Todd Snitchler, a Market Development Group Director for the American Petroleum Institute. Malcolm Woolf, a vice president at the trade association Advanced Energy Economy, said, “There is no emergency that would justify propping up uneconomic power plants that are superfluous.”

Amy Farrell, a vice president at the American Wind Energy Association said, “[O]rderly power plant retirements do not constitute an emergency for our electric grid. …there’s certainly no credible justification to force taxpayers to bailout uneconomic power plants.”

Referring to earlier federal assistance to failing coal and nuclear systems, John Shelk, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, said, “There was no emergency when coal and nuclear interests sought federal relief, and there is none today that justifies such unprecedented Executive Branch intervention in the economic life of the country.”

—New York Times; American Petroleum Institute media advisory; and UtilityDive.com, all on June 1, 2018.

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On the Bright Side

Summer Quarterly 2018
England’s and Germany’s Renewables Producing More than Nuclear

In the first quarter of 2018, England’s wind industry produced a record 15,560 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, surpassing nuclear production for the first time (by 30 GWh). Germany also hit a milestone by providing 100 percent of its electric power consumption with renewable energy for one hour on New Year’s Day, and two years ahead of schedule, Germany reached its (2020) target of increasing renewable’s share of power production to 36%.

German Reactor Phase-out: Ten Down, Seven to Go

Germany’s phase-out of nuclear power is moving ahead. The Dec. 31, 2017 shutdown of the Grundremmingen Unit B reactor was the 10th out of a total of 17 that will be retired with the last seven to power down by 2022. Grundremmingen and its still-operating twin Unit C are General Electric Mark I models identical to the three destroyed Fukushima-Daiichi reactors in Japan. Unit A shutdown in 1975.

Six More US Reactors Shutting Down

In its article “The 60-Year Downfall of Nuclear Power in the US Has Left a Huge Mess,” The Atlantic reported May 28: “Oyster Creek in New Jersey disconnects from the grid [this coming] October with 11 years left on its license. Indian Point in New York State is to shut by 2021 due to falling revenues and rising costs. In California, Diablo Canyon is being closed by state regulators in 2025. The reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania that survived the 1979 accident will finally shut in 2019.” FirstEnergy Solutions has filed deactivation notices for three of its nuclear stations putting them on track for retirement: Davis-Besse and Perry in Ohio, in 2020 and 2021 respectively, and Beaver Valley in Shippingport, Penn. in 2021. However, such notices are often just a tactic used to garner sympathy from lawmakers who have secured taxpayer bailouts for the money-losing reactors.

Investments in Solar Power Outstrip Coal, Nuclear and Gas Combined

According to a new report from the United Nations Environment Program, more money was invested in photovoltaic or solar power in 2017 than in coal, gas and nuclear power combined. In addition, the world’s solar power capacity exceeded nuclear capacity for the first time—reaching 402 gigawatts, compared to 353 GW of nuclear. Electricity from wind power, which far exceeds solar/photovoltaic generation,  outstripped nuclear powered electricity back in 2014, and by the end of 2017 amounted to 539 GW.

California’s New Houses Must Have Solar Electric, Hawaii’s Solar Hot Water

California is set to become the first state to require solar panels on all newly built single-family houses. The mandate is expected to save buyers money in the long run but also raise their upfront costs. The rules were adopted May 8 by state’s Energy Commission and are scheduled to take effect in 2020. The Commission said it expects the solar power initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.4 million metric tons in the first three years. Back in 2008, Hawaii became the first US state to impose energy-saving rules in new house construction requiring them to have solar water heaters starting in 2010. Solar water heaters typically cost home buyers about $5,000 extra on their mortgage, but supporters said that island residents would save thousands of dollars on their electric bills in the long run.

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