# Energy Infrastructure Decommissioning — Nuclear, Coal and Oil

**URL:** https://thecodex.expert/energy/decommissioning/
**Session:** 28 | **Date:** 2026-05-05

## Summary

Energy infrastructure decommissioning costs and methods. Nuclear: DECON (immediate, 10-15 yr), SAFSTOR (40-60 yr storage then dismantle), ENTOMB (not approved by NRC). Sellafield UK (54.42N 3.47W, £121B, 70 yr cleanup, NDA). Fukushima Daiichi (37.42N 141.03E, ~$160B, 40+ years, TEPCO — corium removal began 2024). Chernobyl NSC (51.39N 30.10E, 2016). Vermont Yankee USA (43.10N 72.52W, $2B, completed 2024). USA: ~12 plants decommissioning. France: EDF €37B provision (possibly underestimated). Coal: USA 100 GW retired 2010-2023; Germany 30 GW by 2038; India 80 GW planned by 2032 (CEA NEP). Coal ash ponds: toxic heavy metals, EPA CCR rule. North Sea offshore: 600+ fields, £50B+ cost. Abandoned oil wells USA: ~3 million, $120-280B liability (EPA). Solar end-of-life: 78 MT panel waste by 2050 (IRENA); EU WEEE Directive; First Solar recycling (41.56N 83.52W). Sources: NDA UK AR 2024, TEPCO 2024, NRC 2024, IRENA 2023.