US Nuclear Plant Troubles & TEPCO Told they are Incapable of handling Fukushima update 7/26/13
Channel: MsMilkytheclown1
Date: 2013-07-27

TEPCO admits lax risk management over tainted water
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130726_37.html
http://tinyurl.com/nlvdazk
The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has admitted to insufficient risk management over contaminated groundwater.
Tokyo Electric Power Company made the admission in its first report to a panel of outside experts on Friday.
The company said that highly radioactive water had been detected in the plant's monitoring wells near the sea and seawater in the port since May.
It also said that it took more than a month for the company to admit the fact because officials feared that the information would deal a blow to the local fishing industry.
TEPCO said officials opted to wait for the final data rather than disclosing unconfirmed risks.
Groundwater is believed to have been contaminated by radioactive wastewater in an underground tunnel in the plant compound.
The operator acknowledged that it has been aware of the water in the tunnel since the nuclear accident in March 2011, but only made insufficient efforts to deal with the matter.
The company promised that it will release risk information even if it might raise public concern.
TEPCO President Naomi Hirose apologized that his company has yet to act on the lessons from the accident.
The head of the panel of outside experts, Dale Klein, expressed his deep disappointment.
The former US Nuclear Regulatory Commission chief said many workers are dealing with the aftermath of the accident, but the company's poor public relations are undermining their efforts.

'You don't know what you're doing' Fukushima plant operator told
http://youtu.be/hJxbTdlUqzI
http://www.euronews.com/2013/07/26/you-don-t-know-what-you-re-doing-fukushima-plant-operator-told
http://tinyurl.com/lngg5z5
Anger is growing at the operators of Fukushima, as an increasing number of reports indicate that Japan's crippled nuclear plant doesn't have radiation risks under control.
Steam has been seen rising from a damaged reactor, raising safety concerns. It comes after Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which runs Fukushima, admitted on Monday that contaminated water could be leaking into the sea.
Dale Klein, Chairman of the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee told TEPCO management at a meeting: "These actions indicate that you do not know what you're doing, and that you do not have a plan, and you're not doing all you can to protect the environment and the people."
Naomi Hirose, President of TEPCO, responded saying: "Despite your advice and support, I apologise for not being able to live up to your expectations."
Fukushima was severely damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami - the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.
As criticism of TEPCO mounts, Japan's National Federation of Fisheries has handed the firm a letter of protest over harm being done to sea life.

Nuclear Watch: Promoting Kurokawa Report
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/newsline/201307262000.html
http://tinyurl.com/n2bptnn

American Fukushima in the works BIG PROBLEMS ACROSS UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REACTORS!  (SEE BONUS LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE)
http://youtu.be/Wkut1-xRGo4

Fukushima rezoning set to finish in August
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130726_32.html
http://tinyurl.com/lsklafl
Japan's government is set to finish reorganizing all evacuation zones in Fukushima Prefecture as early as August. Reconstruction efforts may now enter a new phase.
The prospect emerged as the town assembly of Kawamata approved its mayor's rezoning plan on Friday. The town is within 50 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
It's the last of 11 municipalities that were evacuated after the March 2011 nuclear accident to be realigned.
Under the plan, Kawamata's evacuation zone is to be reorganized into 2 areas, according to radiation levels.
One is to be designated as an area for starting preparation for early resettlement. The other area is to remain off limits for the time being.
Kawamata Mayor Michio Furukawa said his town is the last to reorganize, but that this gave it time to deepen debate with the central government on reconstruction.
Furukawa expressed hope that the rezoning will help speed up the rebuilding of residents' lives.

not in today's update:

Japanese, Chinese students discuss environment
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130726_29.html
http://tinyurl.com/qecqr6y


BONUS LINK!!!

'Irreparable' safety issues: All US nuclear reactors should be replaced, 'Band-Aids' won't help
All 104 nuclear reactors currently operational in the US have irreparable safety issues and should be taken out of commission and replaced, former chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Gregory B. Jaczko said.
http://tinyurl.com/d2bnphs
http://rt.com/usa/us-nuclear-reactors-should-replaced-592/