Cost estimate doubled for nuclear plant cleanup

The cost estimate to clean up Japan's wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant has doubled to nearly $190 billion, with decommissioning costs expected to continue to rise, according to a government panel on Friday.

The estimate raises the decommissioning part of the total costs to $70 billion from the current $17.5 billion because of surging labor and construction costs. Panel officials said the numbers could still grow as experts learn more about the damage to the plant's reactors and determine fuel removal methods.

The 10-member panel was commissioned by the Trade and Industry Ministry.