Fukushima Nuclear Fuel Leaking Into Groundwater, Tepco Says Barrier Too Expensive, Will Hurt Stock Price

Hiroaki Koide, an assistant professor at the Kyoto University says melted fuel from inside the Fukushima nuclear reactor has melted through the containment vessel and is lying on the concrete foundations, sinking into the ground below. Japanese government officials have echoed this statement and have http://files.adbrite.com/mb/images/green-double-underline-006600.gif) repeat-x 50% bottom; color: #006600; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" name="AdBriteInlineAd_called" target="_top">called on TEPCO to build an underground concrete barrier beneath the reactor which would be the only way to stop the molten fuel that is now leaking into the groundwater.

TEPCO so far is refusing to do so because the cost of  the project will be over 100 billion yen. TEPCO is debating whether containing the radiation is worth more than its stock price resisting call to build the barrier because agreeing to the plan would make the http://files.adbrite.com/mb/images/green-double-underline-006600.gif) repeat-x 50% bottom; color: #006600; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" name="AdBriteInlineAd_company" target="_top">company appear to have excess liabilities which would in turn cause their stock price to drop.

TEPCO further “claims” that since the groundwater only moves 5 to 10 centimeters a day they have up to a year before the molten nuclear fuel in the groundwater would hit the shore, so there is no need to rush to make a decision on the underground barrier.

Completely entombing the reactor inside of a concrete building, called the “Chernobyl option” because that is how Chernobyl was handled, appears to be the only way to contain the radiation leaking from the nuclear power plant, which Japan now admits has suffered 100% nuclear meltdowns in 3 reactors and has released an amount of radiation comparable to Chernobyl.

The barrier in question would be part of that final solution, yet TEPCO resists finally bringing the crisis to an end in the name of their stock price.

REACTOR BUILDING TO COVER UNIT ONE

(Provided by TEMCO)

In accordance with "Roadmap towards Restoration from the Accident at
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station", we have decided to install a
cover for the reactor building of Unit 1 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Station in order to prevent the diffusion of radioactive substances
and are going to commence main construction in the site on June 27th.
                          (Previously announced on May 13th and June 14th)

On June 22nd, from Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency of Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (NISA), we have received an instruction
document* entitled "Instruction to report on installing the reactor
building cover and ancillary facilities for Unit 1 of Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company"
                                     (Previously announced on June 22nd)

Afterward, with regards to the installation of Reactor Building Cover of
Unit 1 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, we have summarized
detail of the plan and assessment of inhibitory effectiveness for
discharge of radioactive material and safety and reported to NISA yesterday.