Japan’s nuclear watchdog on Wednesday ordered the operators of two nuclear plants to recheck whether faults running under the plants are active, in the latest bid to ensure the country’s reactors are really safe to run.
JRT has been covering the debate over how earthquake-proof the nuclear plants are. That’s a topic that’s taken on increased importance as Japan seeks to restart reactors that were shut down after last year’s massive earthquake and tsunami, and the ensuing disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
One of the facilities the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has ordered reexamined is the Oi nuclear plant in western Fukui prefecture, run by Kansai Electric Power Co. Experts have been pointing out that a fault under the Oi plant might shift — ie, be active — if faults nearby move, posing a threat to Oi’s emergency water-intake system, a critical piece of safety equipment. Oi’s No. 3 reactor became the first to be restarted last week. The No. 4 reactor is scheduled to be activated later Wednesday.
Continue reading at Fukushima Watch: Japan Orders Another Look at Earthquake Faults Under Two Nuclear Plants
