TEPCO to remove cover for crippled reactor
Nuclear & Energy Apr. 30, 2015 - Updated 16:54 UTC-4
The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant will begin dismantling the cover of the No.1 reactor building, starting from mid-May.
The cover was installed after the 2011 nuclear accident to prevent radioactive dust from dispersing. Its removal is necessary in order to clear away radioactive debris at the building and finally remove spent nuclear fuel still stored inside.
Preparation for dismantling of the cover began in October of last year. Workers sprayed chemicals over the debris at the upper part of the building in a test for whether dust will stop scattering. They confirmed that the chemicals worked well.
Operator Tokyo Electric Power Company decided to launch full-fledged dismantling work from May 15th. It says it will be a step-by-step, year-long task after spraying the chemicals again.
TEPCO says a preliminary study found radioactive dust at the building will not scatter even during wind of an average 90 kilometers an hour. It says a water spray will contain the scattering should dust be blown by wind.
TEPCO initially planned to start dismantling the cover on the No.1 reactor building in July of last year. But the work sparked fear by local residents that it might scatter radioactive dust. In the previous year, the spread of radioactive dust made people worry when TEPCO removed debris from the No.3 reactor.
Kansai Electric files to extend use of reactors
Nuclear & Energy Apr. 30, 2015 - Updated 13:07 UTC-4
Kansai Electric Power Company has applied to extend the operational lifespan of 2 of its nuclear reactors by 20 years.
The company filed the application with the Nuclear Regulation Authority on Thursday. The extension covers the No.1 and No.2 reactors of the Takahama plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan.
After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in 2011, the government introduced regulations that limit the operational lifespan of reactors to 40 years in principle.
Operation of the 2 Takahama reactors started about 40 years ago.
Power companies that seek to extend the limit must inspect reactors and other equipment for possible deterioration.
This is the first time a power company has applied for an extension under the new system.
Kansai Electric officials say they have concluded that there are no safety problems after inspecting the reactors and containment vessels starting last December.
For the extension to be granted, the reactors must pass screening based on the new requirements to go back online. The application must also be approved by July of next year.
Japan's govt. proposes emission cut target of 26%
Japan Apr. 30, 2015 - Updated 07:01 UTC-4
Japan's government has proposed reducing the nation's greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent compared to 2013 levels by 2030.
Officials from the environment and industry ministries presented the target at a meeting of a government panel of experts on Thursday.
The officials also said Japan should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25.4 percent from 2005 levels. The government formerly used the year as a base level.
The government says that to achieve the goal, Japan would have to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and companies by 21.9 percent.
It also factored in a cut of 1.5 percent in emissions of other greenhouse gases, and another of 2.6 percent -- the amount to be absorbed by forests and farmland.
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