U.S. Department of Energy to help in Fukushima clean-up

[pa28]

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/u-s-department-of-energy-to-help-in-fukushima-clean-up

TOKYO —
The utility operating Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant said Friday that it will work with the U.S. Department of Energy in decommissioning the site and in dealing with radioactive water problems.

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) President Naomi Hirose said he agreed to accept U.S. help in discussions with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz as they visited the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Friday to inspect preparations to remove fuel rods from a storage pool

Sounds like they needed help desperately. Fortunately it's arriving.

[longship]

1. Good!

Removal of the fuel rods in the unit #4 is a very risky thing. But, to leave them there is unthinkable. It invites an almost guaranteed catastrophe. I hope they get it done safely.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. But after the rods are removed,

where does one put them?

[Pretzel_Warrior]

2. The Japanese culture really does work against them during crises

It takes forever for the power structure to even admit a gigantic fuckup has occurred and then much longer to take appropriate action.

[pa28]

4. They way the PM asked for help also sounded a bit elliptical to American ears.

I'm glad we got the message.

[Tikki]

3. Well, WE have spent millions and millions of our tax dollars and over 40 years trying to clean ..

up Hanford Nuclear Reserve and haven't yet….so.

Where are they going to put all the crap from Fukushima?

Please don't tell me they are going to bury it in metal containers…
Maybe we, as good Americans, could agree to bury a drum each in our back yards…


Tikki

[RobertEarl]

5. Yep, Tikki

We can't even take care of our own waste. Why? Because the nuclear waste is too dangerous.

We really have created a monster we can't control. Even the pro-nuclear people are worried about the future.

Here's a webcam link to Fukushima. On the right side of the screen, that big square white structure, is the new covering over the fuel pool that is the problem.

http://mfile.akamai.com/127380/live/reflector:52045.asx

[freshwest]

6. Earthlings are just sooo clever...