Fukushima News 4/11/14:Abe Chomping At The Nuclear Bit; Monju Reactor Missed Inspections
Channel: missingsky102
Date: 2014-04-12

The Japanese government has decided on a new medium- and long-term basic energy plan that calls nuclear power a key energy source.
The Cabinet on Friday approved the plan, after modifying an initial version to take into account calls from within the governing coalition for more use of renewable energy sources.
The plan defines nuclear power as an important base-load power source that enables a stable supply of energy.
The government will allow nuclear plants to resume operations if they meet safety standards set by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
But the plan calls for minimizing dependence on nuclear power by promoting renewable energy and making thermal power plants more efficient.
The plan cites a goal set 4 years ago to have renewable energy sources account for 20 percent of total demand in 2030. The figure is mentioned only as a reference in the plan. The government says it hopes to further increase the ratio.
On nuclear fuel recycling, the government says its basic policy is to promote it. Junior coalition partner New Komeito says the prototype Monju fast-breeder reactor should be scrapped.
But the government is sticking with its initial plan to use the facility as an international research base. Scientists will study ways to reduce radioactive waste through recycling.
Monju has been mostly idle since a sodium leak accident in 1995. A fast-breeder reactor can produce more nuclear fuel than it consumes.

More missed inspections found at Monju reactor
Japanese nuclear regulators are investigating more cases of missed inspections at the Monju fast-breeder prototype reactor. It's located in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan Coast.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority, or NRA, found the lapses during regular safety checks in March.
Officials say at least 9 out of 80 targeted items had not been inspected. These include a temperature gauge and a switch for equipment that powers the secondary cooling pump.
NRA officials also say workers had revised inspection records without taking the required step of informing an in-house panel on more than 240 occasions.
The NRA last year found around 14,000 missed inspections at Monju, including those for critical safety equipment.

Govt. to set ratio for nuclear power
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government will set the ratio of nuclear power in Japan's energy mix after considering the situation once the reactors are restarted.
Abe spoke to a plenary session of the Lower House on Friday about the basic energy plan approved by the Cabinet earlier in the day.
He said the government's policy is to develop an energy-saving society and introduce renewable energy sources, while reducing dependence on nuclear power as much as possible.
But Abe said that given Japan's increased dependence on natural gas and other fossil fuels, he can't say that Japan will completely abandon nuclear power.
He added the government does not currently have any plans to build any more nuclear reactors or plants. Abe said the focus will be on diversifying energy resources and on how experts will view the resumption of existing reactors.
Abe said the government will set a target for the optimum mix of energy sources. He said the government will do that after looking into the situation regarding renewable energy and its potential, as well as the status of resumed operations at idled nuclear plants

Fukushima worker on verge of breakdown speaking about 3/11: "The earth around me distorting like Jell-O" — Massive upheavals taking entire Reactor 1 turbine building with it — "Sounds like it wants to come apart, going to explode" — "Concrete floor and walls around us began to crack" (AUDIO)
http://enenews.com/fukushima-supervisor-near-breakdown-recounting-311-the-earth-around-me-distorting-like-jell-o-massive-upheavals-taking-entire-reactor-1-turbine-building-with-it-sounds-like-it-wants-to-c

Nuclear Engineer: Radiation levels "much higher" in areas of Fukushima plume headed to west coast than models show — Radio: Concern "other isotopes" besides cesium to cross Pacific (AUDIO)
http://enenews.com/nuclear-engineer-in-reality-radiation-levels-are-much-higher-in-areas-of-fukushima-ocean-plume-than-predicted-by-simulations-radio-concern-that-other-isotopes-will-reach-west-coast-not

[Video column] Fukushima Diary talks "Tepco washing off Plutonium to the Pacific, huge risk for the least effect"
http://fukushima-diary.com/2014/04/video-column-fukushima-diary-talks-tepco-washing-off-plutonium-to-the-pacific-huge-risk-for-the-least-effect/

Tepco started pumping up the bypass water to discharge / Tritium density jumped up to 87% of desired safety level
http://fukushima-diary.com/2014/04/tepco-started-pumping-up-the-bypass-water-to-discharge-tritium-density-jumped-up-to-87-of-desired-dischargable-level/