Meanwhile the government has received a setback by losing control of the parliamentary upper house as a result of recent state elections, making it more difficult for the coalition to push through controversial legislation. Elsewhere it is reported that top Swedish and German politicians plan to meet to discuss early decommissioning of nuclear power, with Germany hoping to learn from Sweden's experience. The report concludes that life extension would pose no technical problem, provided appropriate repair and maintenance procedures are followed. The three utilities plan to follow similar long-term programmes as their other units reach the 30 year milestone. This brings their approved operational lives in line with their 'accounting' lives of 25 years.
Permission is subject to ongoing inspection and analysis and completion of an agreed work programme.
As with previous operations information regarding the shipment will be restricted for security reasons, with departure details released one or two days before the departure itself, and the shipment's expected arrival at Mutsu-Ogawara Port in Japan announced two weeks in advance. Kansai Electric Power Co and Tokyo Electric Power Co have both announced delays to their planned loading of MOX fuel for this year. Negotiations between the Japanese and US governments regarding the plan to transport the fuel from Belgium and the UK still have to take place, with the US having a role to play as original supplier of the uranium to Japan. One major obstacle remains before contracts covering the commercial deal for the Russian HEU feed can be agreed, although terms are largely settled. It is hoped the deal will be completed by the end of March when Russian Prime Minister Viktor Primakov and US Vice President Al Gore meet in Washington.