Fukushima Prefecture has decided to rid itself of nuclear power. But, being home to electrical power plants, notably nuclear power plants, is an important source of government funds. Under the Three Power Source Development Laws, localities that are home to electric power plants, particularly nuclear power plants receive grants and taxes based on the amount generated among other factors. They also tax nuclear fuel and receive property and income taxes.
In Fiscal 2011, grants related to nuclear power plants provided Fukushima Prefecture with 290 million yen ($37 million at 78 yen/dollar) and its towns and cities with 100 million yen. Taxes on nuclear fuel brought in about 460 million yen in FY2010.
These funds will stop. Declaring, "this is obvious," Fukushima Governor Sato announced on 14 December that the prefecture will not apply for the grants from FY 2012 forward.
Next post in series: Kakuei Tanaka and Money for Nuclear Power Plant Localities: Nuclear Power and Fukushima Finances 2
Note about series:
Fukushima Minpo is the oldest and most established newspaper in Fukushima Prefecture. The series of articles on which this post is based explores the financial side of being host to electric power plants. I am excerpting it for this blog because it is written by and for the people most affected by the Fukushima Daiichi accident. This perspective is rare, if not nonexistent, in English reporting about the accident.
Comments are welcome if they constructively add insight to the perspective of this series. Unless submitted by residents of Fukushima or people otherwise directly affected by the accident, advocacy comments will be deleted without acknowledgement.
Source:
Fukushima Minpo, 「【攻防 電力マネー１】全廃炉で財政危機 自治体、収入源探る」, "[Offense & Defense: Electric Power Money 1] Getting Rid of Nuclear Reactors Creates Financial Crisis, Local Governments Search for Revenue Sources," 2011-12-20, http://www.minpo.jp/pub/topics/jishin2011/2011/12/post_2802.html, Accessed 2011-12-30
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