Nuclear reactor faces decommissioning
Source: Agencies |
May 23, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
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JAPAN'S nuclear watchdog yesterday endorsed a panel's conclusion that a seismic fault running underneath one of two reactors at an atomic plant in western Japan is active, making the reactor's restart virtually impossible.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said it agreed with the panel of experts that the fault underneath the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor could trigger an earthquake and lead to an accident.
Japanese regulations prohibit reactors from sitting above active faults. Tsuruga's No. 2 reactor now faces indefinite stoppage or likely decommissioning unless its operator provides new data overriding the watchdog's decision.
It was the first time Japanese regulators had officially recognized an active fault underneath an existing reactor, virtually acknowledging the risk at Tsuruga had been overlooked for decades by both the operator and regulators despite warnings by some experts. The watchdog is also investigating five other plants around the country over suspected active faults.
The case is a crucial test for the Nuclear Regulation Authority to prove if it can resist industry pressure just as Japan's pro-nuclear government moves to restart reactors suspended since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
All but two of Japan's 50 workable reactors have been offline since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami triggered multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. The disaster boosted anti-nuclear sentiment and led to the establishment of a more independent watchdog. But after taking office in December, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quickly reversed the previous government's nuclear phase-out plan.
Japanese nuclear plant operators are now rushing to fix and upgrade safety at their reactors so they can apply for mandatory safety inspections as soon as new regulatory requirements take effect in July.
Watchdog chairman Shunichi Tanaka said: "Under the safety guidelines, we say a reactor should not be built on an active fault. It's self-explanatory," Tanaka said. "We stand by our decision, no matter what kind of pressure we get from outside."
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said it agreed with the panel of experts that the fault underneath the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor could trigger an earthquake and lead to an accident.
Japanese regulations prohibit reactors from sitting above active faults. Tsuruga's No. 2 reactor now faces indefinite stoppage or likely decommissioning unless its operator provides new data overriding the watchdog's decision.
It was the first time Japanese regulators had officially recognized an active fault underneath an existing reactor, virtually acknowledging the risk at Tsuruga had been overlooked for decades by both the operator and regulators despite warnings by some experts. The watchdog is also investigating five other plants around the country over suspected active faults.
The case is a crucial test for the Nuclear Regulation Authority to prove if it can resist industry pressure just as Japan's pro-nuclear government moves to restart reactors suspended since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
All but two of Japan's 50 workable reactors have been offline since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami triggered multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. The disaster boosted anti-nuclear sentiment and led to the establishment of a more independent watchdog. But after taking office in December, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quickly reversed the previous government's nuclear phase-out plan.
Japanese nuclear plant operators are now rushing to fix and upgrade safety at their reactors so they can apply for mandatory safety inspections as soon as new regulatory requirements take effect in July.
Watchdog chairman Shunichi Tanaka said: "Under the safety guidelines, we say a reactor should not be built on an active fault. It's self-explanatory," Tanaka said. "We stand by our decision, no matter what kind of pressure we get from outside."
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