Utilities apply to restart nuclear reactors
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPANESE nuclear operators yesterday applied to restart reactors under new rules drawn up following the Fukushima disaster, but early approval is unlikely as a more independent regulator strives to show a sceptical public it is serious about safety.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and the utilities are keen to get reactors running again. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has singled out reining in soaring fuel costs as a part of his reform plans.
But the pro-nuclear LDP must tread carefully to avoid compromising the independence of the new regulator, which is battling to build credibility with a public whose faith in nuclear power was decimated after meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power Co's Fukushima Daiichi station.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has said it would take at least six months to review nuclear units. The consent of communities hosting reactors is then needed.
All but two of Japan's 50 reactors have been closed in the wake of the disaster in March 2011, which forced 160,000 people from their homes, many of whom are unlikely to be able to return for decades.
Nuclear power accounted for about a third of Japan's electricity supply before the Fukushima catastrophe, the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.
The disaster, caused by an earthquake and tsunami that knocked out power and cooling functions at the Fukushima plant, highlighted lax oversight of the powerful electricity companies.
Polls show a majority of Japan's population want to end reliance on atomic power and are opposed to restarts. But the ruling party argues nuclear energy will cut fuel costs that have pushed the country into a record trade deficit and will help return loss-making utilities to profit.
Hokkaido Electric Power Co, Kansai Electric Power, Shikoku Electric Power and Kyushu Electric Power applied to get 10 reactors restarted, the NRA said.
NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said elevating safety culture to international standards would "take a long time."
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and the utilities are keen to get reactors running again. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has singled out reining in soaring fuel costs as a part of his reform plans.
But the pro-nuclear LDP must tread carefully to avoid compromising the independence of the new regulator, which is battling to build credibility with a public whose faith in nuclear power was decimated after meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power Co's Fukushima Daiichi station.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has said it would take at least six months to review nuclear units. The consent of communities hosting reactors is then needed.
All but two of Japan's 50 reactors have been closed in the wake of the disaster in March 2011, which forced 160,000 people from their homes, many of whom are unlikely to be able to return for decades.
Nuclear power accounted for about a third of Japan's electricity supply before the Fukushima catastrophe, the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.
The disaster, caused by an earthquake and tsunami that knocked out power and cooling functions at the Fukushima plant, highlighted lax oversight of the powerful electricity companies.
Polls show a majority of Japan's population want to end reliance on atomic power and are opposed to restarts. But the ruling party argues nuclear energy will cut fuel costs that have pushed the country into a record trade deficit and will help return loss-making utilities to profit.
Hokkaido Electric Power Co, Kansai Electric Power, Shikoku Electric Power and Kyushu Electric Power applied to get 10 reactors restarted, the NRA said.
NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said elevating safety culture to international standards would "take a long time."
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