The International Atomic Energy Agency delayed a report about meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to give Japanese officials another chance to explain radiation leaking into the Pacific Ocean.
The IAEA’s report about mid- to long-term plans to decommission the stricken reactors will be published in “mid-May,” agency spokesman Serge Gas said in an e-mailed reply to questions. The report had initially been scheduled for release by the end of March on the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co.[…]
IAEA monitors made an unscheduled return trip to Japan last month to follow-up on a spike in radiation levels caused by contaminated water leaking into the Pacific. While Tepco had known about the leaks for months, they didn’t discuss them with agency monitors during scheduled Feb. 9-17 consultations. Tepco subsequently decided to revise its communications policies and disclose more radiation data.
Japan’s government “wished to provide the IAEA with further explanations” including “Tepco’s efforts to improve communication,” Gas said.
Tepco didn’t respond outside of business hours to telephone calls and e-mails seeking comment.[…]
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