In Japan, Resistance Rises To Nuclear-Power Plans

KARIWA VILLAGE, Japan — As global interest in nuclear power grows, Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s struggle with the world’s largest nuclear plant — shut down after an earthquake a year ago — illustrates how tricky and expensive operating such facilities can be.

The high cost of fossil fuels and nuclear plants’ low greenhouse-gas emissions are leading more nations to consider adding nuclear facilities, in some cases for the first time in years.

The U.S., which has built few new plants since the late 1970s, has in the past three years fielded applications for more than 30 new plants — the country has 104 reactors, generating 20% of the nation’s electricity. Russia and China are building more facilities as their economies grow. Newcomers such as Indonesia and Vietnam are planning their first reactors. Today, the world’s 439 operable nuclear reactors produce about 16% of global power, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Wall Street Journal