NRA starts accepting applications for reactor restarts (Japan)

Japan Times ^ | 07/08/2013 | Kyodo

[TexGrill]

Japan on Monday restarted the procedures for allowing idled reactors to be brought back online, putting in place new safety regulations that reflect the lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima No. 1 meltdown disaster.

Power utilities rushed to the Nuclear Regulation Authority to apply for safety assessments on 10 reactors in hopes of cutting their fuel costs, which have soared since the loss of atomic power forced them to revert to thermal power generation.

But none of the reactors is likely to be restarted anytime soon because it could take at least six months for each assessment to finish.

Facing what the NRA calls the world’s toughest level of nuclear regulations, utilities may also opt to give up efforts to restart some of the other 50 commercial reactors and scrap them instead of investing in costly safety upgrades.

Four regional utilities filed Monday morning to restart the 10 reactors, which are situated at five nuclear power plants in Hokkaido, Fukui, Ehime and Kagoshima prefectures.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. has expressed plans to request an NRA safety review for two reactors at its giant seven-reactor Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex in Niigata Prefecture, but local opposition made it difficult for the utility to apply Monday.

[TexGrill]

Global business tip

[rktman]

So now the National Rifle Association is trying to obtain raw material to make nuclear weapons. When will it stop? LOL!

[TexGrill]

For a moment, I considered not putting Japan in parenthesis in the headline. It would have been somewhat humorous.

[rktman]

I couldn’t help it. I’m sure the lsm would portray it as such being the asshats that they are. Maybe nannie bloomers and the MAIGgots could use it in their ongoing pursuit of denying people their rights.

[dr_lew]

Power utilities rushed to the Nuclear Regulation Authority to apply for safety assessments on 10 reactors in hopes of cutting their fuel costs, which have soared since the loss of atomic power forced them to revert to thermal power generation.

I would hold back. Let's see who's holding the cards. ... and what the H is "thermal power generation" if it doesn't include nuclear ?

[verga]

My same thought, along with “I am glad I am a lifetime member.”