The governor of the Fukushima prefecture has stalled plans by TEPCO to load MOX fuel into local reactors because of the utility freezing work on non-nuclear power plants in the prefecture, despite the fact that all regulatory requirements for MOX use have been met. The delay also threatens plans to load MOX at plants in another prefecture, where approval is contingent upon not being the first to do so. Japan’s utilities plan to load MOX in 16-18 units over the decade, and MOX use with associated reprocessing of spent uranium fuel is a fundamental part of the national energy policy.
