Protracted battle to contain crippled nuclear plant could lead to utility's liquidation

mdn.mainichi.jp...

If Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) were to fight a protracted battle to bring its crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant under control, its costs of handling contaminated water and compensating local residents could snowball to 10 trillion yen, experts say.

If that happens, the company could be forced to sell its assets, such as its power-generating equipment, to secure funds to pay damages. This, in turn, could pave the way for separation of the company's power generation and distribution operations.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano have already expressed their intention to consider splitting up the distribution and generation of power -- jobs now performed single-handedly by power companies.

Read more at link.. And no, I'm not shocked at all before someone says I am..