"Japan once planned to phase out atomic power following the disaster at the Fukushima plant caused by an earthquake and tsunami. But in the face of global fuel shortages, rising prices and pressure to reduce carbon emissions, the government has reversed its policy and is now seeking to increase nuclear energy use by accelerating reactor restarts, extending their operational lifespan and considering building new ones."
"Restart preparations for No. 6 reactor have moved ahead and utility company TEPCO is expected to apply for a final safety inspection by the Nuclear Safety Authority later this week ahead of a possible resumption in January. Work at the other reactor is expected to take a few more years. The move comes one day after the Niigata prefectural assembly adopted a budget bill that included funding necessary for a restart, supporting the governor's earlier consent."
Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi formally endorsed restarting reactors No. 6 and No. 7 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant after accepting government pledges on safety, emergency response and resident understanding. TEPCO is expected to seek a Nuclear Safety Authority final inspection for No. 6 this week with a potential resumption in January, while work on No. 7 may take several more years. The prefectural assembly approved budgetary funding to support the restart. The national government has shifted from a phase-out to expanded nuclear use amid fuel shortages, price rises and carbon-reduction pressures. Of 57 commercial reactors, 13 operate, 20 are offline and 24 are being decommissioned.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]