FPN02-40
ITER Moves a Step Closer
June 2, 2002
The European Union (EU) and the Government of Japan have decided to
formally offer to host the ITER project at a meeting scheduled June 4 in
France. The EU will put forth two sites, in France and in Spain. Japan
will offer one site, in Rokkasho, on the northernmost tip of the island of
Japan. Japan was only recently expected to also offer two sites, the other
at Naka, the current main fusion site, but at the last minute narrowed its
choice to one. Canada has also formally offered a site on Lake Ontario.
The formal offers of sites sets the stage for the initiation of a site
selection process that is expected to culminate, later this year, with an
agreement among the Parties (Canada, EU, Japan and Russia) on financing
arrangements for construction. The US withdrew from the project a few years
ago but is currently reconsidering that stance.