Nuclear study may be put on hold

The Department of Energy is reconsidering its planned P100-million nuclear safety study this year, in light of the extensive damage caused by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake last March on Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant complex.

“Due to the Fukushima incident, we’re thinking of reconsidering the (nuclear safety) study and see whether we should do other studies apart from nuclear,” said Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr.

“The budget has been approved, but right now the DOE is studying what to do next—whether we push through or delay or use the budget for more urgent matters. We are in discussion internally,” Layug explained.

Layug stressed that the DOE does not have any specific program for the use of nuclear energy, but does want to study it.

The P100-million nuclear safety study, which should be completed within 18 to 24 months, was meant to give the government a better understanding of the current developments in the nuclear energy industry. For instance, there is a trend toward smaller, packaged facilities.