Japan: Endangered Nation On The Way To Extinction
Channel: onthewaytoextinction
Date: 06/07/2013

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

UTILITIES PREPARE NUCLEAR RESTART APPLICATIONS

Japanese power companies are preparing to apply to restart 5 nuclear plants.

 Four companies say their plants conform to new safety guidelines introduced by the country's nuclear regulator.

 The companies on Friday notified the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of their plans to apply on Monday, as soon as the new guidelines go into effect.

 The rules will oblige plant operators to deal with serious accidents. Such measures are voluntary at present.

 The 5 plants are Tomari in Hokkaido, Ohi and Takahama in Fukui Prefecture, Ikata in Ehime Prefecture and Sendai in Kagoshima Prefecture. The operators hope to bring 10 reactors back online.

 The operator of the Genkai plant in Saga Prefecture is planning to submit an application next Friday.

 Tokyo Electric Power Company executives met Niigata Prefecture government officials on Friday to discuss the timing of an application to restart the Kashiwazaki-kariwa plant.

 Officials from the nuclear agency say it will take at least 6 months to screen the applications. They have assigned 240 personnel to the job.

 Operators will also need to gain approval from local communities.

 All of Japan's nuclear power plants were halted after the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture 2 years ago. Only one has come back online.

Jul. 5, 2013 - Updated 09:05 UTC

TEPCO FACES OPPOSITION OVER NIIGATA RESTART PLAN

Tokyo Electric Power Company is facing opposition from local leaders over its application plan for restarting its main Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture.

 On Friday, TEPCO President Naomi Hirose visited Governor Hirohiko Izumida and the mayors of municipalities where the plant is located.

 Hirose said his company wants to ask nuclear regulators to conduct safety inspections for the plant, soon after the government introduces new safety guidelines on Monday. Passing the inspections is necessary for restarting the nuclear facility.

 Hirose apologized for deciding to apply for the safety inspections before consulting with host communities.

 He said TEPCO wants to discuss installing a new filtered vent safety device. If a serious accident occurs, the device will filter out harmful radioactive particles as it releases gases to lower the pressure inside a reactor containment vessel.

 Nuclear power plants using the same system as the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant must install filtered vents before restarting operations.

 TEPCO has an agreement with the prefecture and the municipalities hosting the Kashiwazaki plant that it will gain their approval before installing new devices.

 Governor Izumida expressed his displeasure, saying that TEPCO should not apply for safety inspections without prior approval from local governments.

 He criticized the plant operator for putting profit before safety and disregarding people's concerns.

 The governor refused to accept a TEPCO request seeking approval for installing filtered vents.

 TEPCO's president told reporters that the utility may be unable to apply for an inspection on Monday because of opposition from local leaders.

 Hirose said he will request another meeting.

Jul. 5, 2013 - Updated 10:59 UTC

NUCLEAR WATCHDOG EXPLAINS NEW SAFETY STANDARDS

Officials with Japan's nuclear regulatory agency have explained new safety standards for nuclear power plants to representatives of regional governments.

 The Nuclear Regulation Authority held a briefing on Thursday. About 70 officials from 22 prefectures attended.

 The new standards take effect on Monday. Utilities are expected to begin submitting applications to restart nuclear plants based on the new standards next week.

 The revised rules require utilities to take measures for dealing with severe accidents. Such measures have been voluntary until now.

 Participants at the meeting asked for details on the procedures a utility must follow once it gains permission to restart a nuclear plant.

 Some people in the audience expressed doubt that the new regulations are strict enough. They noted that they were finalized even though investigators are still looking into what caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

Jul. 4, 2013 - Updated 09:49 UTC