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Oi assembly agrees to restart 2 reactors

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By Linda Sieg and Yoko Kubota

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yup, we need nuclear energy because humans have always used nuclear energy since the begining of civilization / End Sarcasm

-9 ( +12 / -22 )

arsseb

You are welcome to demonstrate how to live without nuclear energy in Japan by living like at the beginning of civilization. Understand that some of the rest of us won´t join you.

7 ( +24 / -16 )

No surprises here... JT readers' had predicted long ago.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Oi assembly agrees to restart 2 reactors

One day, you will regret why your greed for abnormal profits made you hurry restart of old faulty nuclear reactors when it was clear Japan was coping well without them....

-7 ( +16 / -21 )

Fukui prefecture is prone to particularly strong destructive earthquakes. To have operating nuclear plants there is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of millions at risk. Have the Japanese learned nothing from Fukushima???

This is a disaster waiting to happen.....

6 ( +16 / -11 )

Local politicians are reaping the benefits, notice the Central Govt starts with the poorest prefecture first. Citizens welfare for sale. More marches coming soon to a capital near you.

6 ( +10 / -5 )

Thank goodness for common sense. Now, fortunately, business has continue as normal and the elderly will be able to survive a hot, humid summer!

-5 ( +15 / -18 )

yeah as long as it has been completely inspected and contingency plans are in place. i hope people realize it really wasn`t the earthquake that destroyed fukushima reactor but not having been properly inspected and no contingency plans were in place. hubris and greed were mostly to blame.

13 ( +17 / -3 )

Sp public opinion counts for.... nothing? Hashimoto will be spitting nails at this - and I actually agree with him. Bad, bad choice. If anything were to go wrong, that is ALL of Kansai gone. 35 million people.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

When I first came to Japan I was told "we Japanese" are tough because "we" didn't need air conditioners like Americans did. Plus, many Europeans were dying in a heat wave that "we" wouldn't even notice. I guess the pro-nuke people's clamoring for restarting the nuclear power plants so "we" can survive summer is further evidence of the weakening of "our Japanese samurai spirit."

Hope this time they have back-up generators and have learned how to contain an exploding plant. I also hope their 'inspections' are more than a temporary employee saying it's safe and the gov't handing out envelopes of cash (2.5 billion last year).

10 ( +13 / -5 )

WilliB:

You're welcome to demonstrate, once more, how personal interests (be it love of profit or established comfort) blinds people to the desire and right of others to live in a safe and sound world, since the beginning of "civil"ization.

2 ( +4 / -3 )

There have already been lethal levels of radiation released from Fukushima-another quake could cause buildings to collapse and even more radioactive pollution ! Economic concerns have absolutely no meaning when lives are in danger.

Alternatives to nuclear are here now.

The technology to power homes using solar and wind power is here now!

There are other safer more productive technologies too!

Biogas plants in India produce electricity but not in Japan-why not?

A large quake in Fukui could decimate the Oi plants!

Where will the refugees from that potential disaster go?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I am honestly looking for alternatives, as I often hear people say, we don't need to restart these plants, but they never offer alternatives, or how to cope.

I often post alternatives, but I am often ignored somehow… :'( I don’t know the long term effect, but according to some experts we could get through this summer without NPPs.

“Koide Hiroaki (assistant professor of Kyoto University)”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTx942kwh94

“Sharing excess power could avert summer supply crisis” by Asahi Shimbun

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201204100065

Iida Tetsuya

http://www.at-douga.com/?p=5022

Takano Masao (professor of Nayoya uni)

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjsp9n_yyyyyy-yyyyyyyy-1-2_news

LNG projects based on shale gas have been proposed to partially meet Japan’s LNG needs.

http://nippon.com/en/in-depth/a00303/

There are a number of IPP: Independent Power Producer, such as Sumitomo Kinzoku Co., Osaka gas, Kanden Plant Co., …and many others.

http://www.shikoku.meti.go.jp/soshiki/skh_d6/9_info/top/e-arekore.htm

KEPCO supply capacity: 27,600,000kw

http://www.facebook.com/kanden.jp

The number of days when peak electricity demand exceeded supply (27,600,000kw) in 2011:1 day [August 9, 2011 for 4 hours (demand: 27,850,000kw)]

If this summer is as hot as last summer, blackout possibility in Kansai area would be one day (out of 365 days).

13 ( +14 / -2 )

Radiation plants are too dangerous. Citizens must demand they remain off.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

Finally, a prudent decision is made. Let's hope the electricity goes to the local region rather than the capitol and its offices.

-8 ( +5 / -14 )

kurisupisu. Nope. The Japanese have obviously learned nothing from Fukushima. Could we please stop using the word FEARMONGERING.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Blair Herron. Thanks for the links.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Let's not lose sight of what's really important here:

Kansai Electric’s share price closed up almost 5.6% after the news, helping the benchmark Nikkei share index break a three-day losing streak.

Now expect this to serve as a precedent, and watch the speed at which all other plants get restarted. The rubber-stamps will be speedily applied in Nagatacho - those political donations aren't cheap, you know. Co-operation is bought and paid for.

It is regrettable that so many people feel reservations about radioactive contamination of their air, food and water, but we've got money to make and bonuses to award. It is your patriotic duty to now say, "Shoganai" and suck it up. What do you think this is, a democracy?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

What do you think this is, a democracy?

Silly me, huh?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

this is such a charade. the gov't has no interest in public opinion and will sooner or later restart most of the reactors. the gov't will eventually beat the public into submission. so just start the darned reactors already, won't you?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

They might as well change the name to "Democratic Peoples Republic of Japan" and start molding all those 79tons of plutonium they have stashed away into warheads.

/Sorry, I am feeling unusually(even for a SquidBert) grumpy and cynical today.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Another Einstein quote that seems relevant today:

“The world we have created today as a result of our thinking thus far has problems which cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them.”

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Check out Arnie Gundersen's talk on ENENEWS. Just posted yesterday.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

An assembly? How about the people of the town? vote those members out and replace them please.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mother should I trust the government?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Like it or not, there will be more nuclear reactors coming back on line before this summer is over. Japan right now does not have a viable alternative to replace the power lost that keeping the nuclear reactors offline brings.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The real question about nuclear power in Japan is: could Japan survive another disaster such as Fukushima again? A reoccurance at Fukushima would be horrible enough, but imagine if another untainted region was affected. TEPCO and the government excused themselves from culpability by saying that the failure of the reactors were "beyond their comprehension...". (That is after they chose to ignore expert advice at the time of construction, throughout the years up to weeks before Fukushima failed, including their own in-house studies.) Now, without any significant improvements to plants or infrastructure they are restarting plants? The Fukushima related liability and clean-up costs are expected to exceed all the profits of not just TEPCO, but the entire nuclear-energy program in Japan from its beginnings in the 70's. We now see that the Japanese tax-payer will carry the burden, only to have nuclear power resume according to the whims (and money thrown around) of the vested-interest energy monopoly. Government is failing the people.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

At least with the Oi reactors, the usually prevailing wind direction will mean that the results of an accident will end up in Tokyo, and not in the Ocean.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Hydrothermal Power = Low cost + clean + produces 5 times more energy than nuclear.

THE TIME IS NOW.

Please watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-_UTU_bJ0

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Yep I deserved that -1, I should of-course have said that it will pollute lake Biwa, a huge area of land and Tokyo on its way to the pacific ocean.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

So when is the next obligatory maintenance for these two reactors? If they could implement safer energy by then(wind, solar, whatever), the locals could still receive rewards and shut down the reactors permanently at the same time. Easy to say, I guess. But I hope that will come in time before the next huge disaster.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The squid also sometimes have problems with his commas.

In real life very few Astro turfers have the patience of saints.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

OK, Moderator, you should probably remove that last one as well. It looks a bit out of place after you removed the chain of comments it was referring to.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What the hell? Start them up, extinction is around the corner anyway might as well have AC on in all the empty apartments.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

zichi. If we had listened to so-called apocolyptic people like Arnie in the first place, maybe my family and I would not have been exposed to radiation last March for as long as we were. Instead we were lied to and misinformed. Who would you rather believe?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

zichi, while improbable it is very possible. The conditions for a war are in place. Russia is turning up the heat, saying they will do a 1st strike if in their interests. The Americans may have to go to DEFCON III and if bad enough put part of its B2 and B1 force in the air at all time and Looking Glass.

Am happy two plants will restart, soon more will open. Japan can not afford the high costs of fossil fuel importation.

-11 ( +1 / -11 )

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thank you Zichi. I guess 13 months is a bit too short to start something new, but they can surely try.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Living "Recklass" is one way of life, but non-air conditioned tombs in Tokyo, et al, buildings in the summer is not tolerable. When will the electricity shortage become a "National Security" issue (major economic issue) in Japan? There is not much time to stop this "feel good" movement in Japan before the "feel really hot and bad" becomes the issue.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

This is great news. Reading this article, I could hear the sound of freedom and patriotism in the background. We live in a society where we are free to grow our economy and provide jobs and food for the children. Not one that can be hijacked by the anti-electricity mob that wants to deprive the nation of power, economic growth and food for children.

Zichi,

We cannot build nuclear power plants on US bases. The US troops must be kept safe at all times to defend Japan.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@HoJo,

You vision of the future and mine are quite different. Perhaps the minds of some are clouded by money?

http://prn.fm/2012/04/26/gallery-april-26-26th-anniversary-chernobyl/

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Guess the assembly got enough cash to get themselves and their dearest out of the area.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Erik Lars:

" Hydrothermal Power = Low cost + clean + produces 5 times more energy than nuclear. "

Hydrothermal is great if you live in Norway, with a tiny population and a huge waterfall around every corner. In Japan, hydro is already maxed out. Practically every suitable gorg already has a dam of some sort. Next idea?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@WilliB,

Perhaps you should read up on what HydroThermal is before speaking?

Hint: -No waterfalls needed.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Zichi:

" KEPCO increased it's safety level at it's Oi plant by bringing in emergency generator trucks but these would be destroyed by a powerful earthquake or tsunami. "

How so? When has a truck ever been "destroyed" by an earthquake? And if it is destroyed by a tsunami depends of course entirely on where it is parked. How do you come up with these weird claims?

" A major safety concern for all the atomic plants, and one expressed by the government last year, is the use of open pools to store thousands of tons of highly irradiated spent fuel. The government called for an end to this method of storage without offering any solutions. Even if all the reactors were never restarted again, this problem will remain for 10,000 years. "

Totally misleading. Storage in pools is only required until the residual decay heat has subsided enough for dry storage. You are looking a dozens of years, not thousands. After that, the waste can be transferred to dry storage. I really don´t understand why keep making all these sensationalist and false claims.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Squidbert:

" Perhaps you should read up on what HydroThermal is before speaking? "

Thanks for the correction. In my haste, I was referring to hydroelectric. OK, I rephrase:

Hydrothermal is great if you live in ICELAND, with a tiny population and an a volcanic rock layer around every corner. In Japan, hydrothermal is already maxed out. Practically every suitable hot srping already has an onsen of some sort, and supplying the energy needs of 200,000 people (icelend) or 120 million (Japan) is comparing apples and oranges. Next idea?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The central government last month said reactors No. 3 and No. 4 at Kansai Electric Power Co’s plant in Oi, 360 km west of Tokyo, were safe to restart.

Masashi Goto, a former nuclear power plant designer, and Hiromitsu Ino, emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo, who both served as members of an advisory committee to Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) for the stress tests criticized the narrow scope of the test criteria and the lack of citizen involvement.

Ino said, “The stress tests are an “optimistic desk simulation. It doesn’t look at complex scenarios, such as system-wide failure due to the aging of the plant, or human error."

Goto said “Even the scenarios for the two disasters the tests purport to simulate are insufficient. The tsunami was not just an issue of water; there was rubble and boats flowing in, large amounts of fuel, fires out at sea (just like what happened in Kesennuma)—none of those factors were considered."

NISA decided to ignore the experts’ advice. The final version was submitted to the NSC for checking.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201202010057

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120209b2.html

Haruki Madarame, the NSC chairman, said, “The initial assessment is insufficient to determine the safety of a plant. The secondary evaluation should involve.”

PM Noda and other 3 ministers decided to ignore what the NSC chairman said, which is by the way against the law. Atomic Energy Basic Act, Chapter II Article 5: The Nuclear Safety Commission shall plan, deliberate on and determine the matters related to ensuring safety among the matters related to the research, development and utilization of nuclear energy.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201203240040

http://www.nsc.go.jp/NSCenglish/documents/laws/1.pdf

Some experts of NISA and NSC say those reactors are not safe enough, but the government says they are safe!?!?!?!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@WilliB

I think that hydrothermal that Erik Lars was referring to was actually the harvesting of energy from sea floor thermal vents. But the term hydrothermal is sometimes also used to cover pumped water geothermal, so OK close enough.

So lets talk geothermal, then. You say that geothermal is maxed out. Where are your source for this? An earlier article here on JT stated that there are 80GW worth of geothermal available for development in Japan. (almost twice the installed capacity for nuclear power)

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I am honestly looking for alternatives, as I often hear people say, we don't need to restart these plants, but they never offer alternatives, or how to cope.

Thorium. Mandatory shutting down of Pachinko parlors. Cool Biz. Cold showers. Introduction of siesta time. Go swimming. Drink lots of water. Buy a more efficient refrigerator. Keep your freezer full, even if its just PET bottles of ice, because air space in a freezer is waste. But some electronic items on a timer to reduce standby and vampire drainage.

On this forum, alternatives come with every single thread on the subject of the NPPs.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Storage in pools is only required until the residual decay heat has subsided enough for dry storage.

WilliB, there is what is required on one hand, and what is actually being done on the other.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Here is a document from the Energy Information Administration at the American DOE.

http://www.eia.gov/cabs/japan/Full.html

The Pie-Chart on the first page will tell you that nuclear accounted for only 11% of the total (primary) energy consumption in Japan. So that is the real increase in fossil fuel consumption if we were to temporary use LNG to cover the entire shortfall from shutting down nuclear.

So not the "one third" that is starting to show up in news articles lately.

Long term, renewable energy sources can cover this easily.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I have been reading the comments from both sides and I have to be honest. I get the NAY SAYERS, but! The people that are so against the reactors re-opening should stop complaining and marching. They should start moving on making all of the "alternative" types energy the "mainstay" types of energy. If they can't they should stop using electricity all together until they can use CLEAN & SAFE ENERGY. I personally MUST HAVE my power for work and home!

There is no way that a country that needs this much energy ALL the time, can simply stop using it's main form of energy that quickly!

Japan still has NO "proper" and easily usable natural energy resources - yet! No time to start properly using these "natural" resources in time to cover the gap that will happen during a potential change over during what could be a make or break year for not just Japan but the rest of the world.

Several of my closest friends are from Fukui Pref. and I have been there many times. There is a low population, there a low tax base and if it was not for the power plants my friends would not be doing as well in their chosen fields of business. Everyone in Fukui benefits from the plants, especially children in schools who have been using some of the top level public learning facilities in the world because of the money the money raised from the plants.

Yes, there is a concern about earthquakes! But, that is a concern anywhere in Japan. Yes, the reactor system is not the best, safest or cleanest ways to create energy! But, that is not just a problem for Japan. Yes, I would love to see Japan & the World go TOTALLY GREEN and still be able to feed, educate and live on this over crowded planet! But, this a world problem!

This said, in the mean time I see this as a calculated risk. The same as stepping into a wet bathtub, the same as walking down a street or riding ANY form of transportation. ANY THING CAN HAPPEN, ANY TIME! No matter what precautions are made, mistakes happen. Often things happen that go way beyond what any of the best calculations can predict.

Just living a RISK. We take thousands everyday and when something beyond our calculations happens we do what must be done to fix them and get past them.

UTOPIA is a fantastic concept but at this point it is just that A CONCEPT!

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Thorium>

And wouldn't you know, Japan just happens to make them: Thorium reactors. Maybe the government should consider investing their money on their own home grown products. Scale them up and you'll have meltdown proof Thorium reactors.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Everyone can dream of a green future where we all live in tents and commune with nature but this is real life. Japan is a First World country, not a developing economy... it needs power NOW. Industry needs power, cities need power, people need power.

As for the people who say 'who needs AC'? How about people with breathing difficulties in oppressive heat and humidity? Older people, of whom a sizable number die in Japan every summer from heat stroke and exhaustion... you would condemn them to misery and death while they wait for green technologies to be developed, tested and installed.

As Patrick Bommarito said, Utopia is a long way off.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

WTF....after all the arguments , talks etc , etc about Nuke power plant, what else is expected.... hahahahaha re-start of course. Stop this hullaballoos of meeting and talks and explaining shit about the dangers of Nuke power plants and close this damn subject matter hahahaha

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Imagine a swimming pool built on the roof of your local 1960s department store. Friend of mine, a former nuclear engineer, says these open spent fuel pools placed in the reactor buildings ABOVE the reactors is a poor design flaw. Most in Japan are like that, as are some of the older ones in the US.

Nowadays temporary storage pools are always set into the ground, so at least they cannot topple over.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The salient point, one that the Oi assembly and many posters here seem to be completely ignorant of is that Fukui has been hit by earthquakes that have pushed the earth 5 feet up vertically !!!

What type of buildings can withstand that abuse?

It is said that Fukushima and Chernobyl were both level 7 accidents. The highest levels ever seen!

What is the rationale for furthering the possibility of a worse calamity?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Like I said before, as unfortunate and as unwise as this decision may be, it was inevitable. I didn't actually expect it to come so soon, though.

The only thing to do now is to hope that whatever impromptu improvision of safety measures at the Oi reactors are enough to fend off another repeat of the Fukushima disaster, and that the central government cleaves true to their promise of seeking renewable power generation to replace nuclear energy in the future. If luck holds, they'd be able to shut down these reactors for good in a few decades. Until then, the thousands of Japanese gods will have to go the extra mile with their protection spells.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What type of buildings can withstand that abuse?

The kind propped up by think brown envelops cash?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

envelopes of

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Unfortunately that is true....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The salient point, one that the Oi assembly and many posters here seem to be completely ignorant of is that Fukui has been hit by earthquakes that have pushed the earth 5 feet up vertically !!!

What type of buildings can withstand that abuse?

Well the reactor buildings there obviously... if they haven't collapsed then they've withstood the earthquakes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tmarie "Sp public opinion counts for.... nothing?" if you actually read and watched the JP TV and talked to JP people you would realize PUBLIC opinion is for the the SAFE RESTART of the nuclear reactors in Japan. I have talked to plenty of people and the opinion on Japan Today and the GAIJIN are in the minority in regards to the nuclear reactors.

Care to post where you get yoru stats from because I'm reading the majority are NOT in favour of turning them back on.

And yes, isn't it sad when the gaijin in Japan are more aware and worried about what will happen to Japan than the natives?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

They obviously see the oi reactors a safer option for restart, as the region sees far fewer earthquakes than the rest of japan. With it not being on the pacific coast either the tsunami risk is far far lower too.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

And yes, isn't it sad when the gaijin in Japan are more aware and worried about what will happen to Japan than the natives?

Bit patronising?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Finally something positive in the news.

Japan is too small to have anything other than air polluting fossil fuels or perfectly safe but demonized nuclear energy. Fossil fuels pollute the air so much that more people die of cancer and pollution related diseases than will ever die of radiation related issues, including the atomic bomb victims. Especially at issue is the decades old coal plants they are using to recover some lost production, most of which were mothballed decades ago before the advent of air purification systems.

As for solar, you need a minimum of about 500km^2 of solar panels to meet just 10% of demand (at a cost of about 12.8 trillion yen, or about the same as the education expenses of the entire nation), and about twice that for wind. Japan does not have that space available.

Japan needs to restart as many nuclear reactors as possible in the next month or so, as it takes about two months to get them up to full capacity, and it cripple the economy if manufacturers are unable to produce what they need for the end of the year shopping time.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

They obviously see the oi reactors a safer option for restart, as the region sees far fewer earthquakes than the rest of japan. With it not being on the pacific coast either the tsunami risk is far far lower too.

I see big active faults near Oi NPPs on the map. NISA told KEPCO that it should plan for the possibility of a simultaneous rupture along underwater faults near the plant as well as the land-based Kumagawa fault. Those faults have a combined length of 63 kilometers.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201203290069

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The nuclear power companies in Fukui have paid more than ¥50 billion in anonymous donations to the prefecture to keep the locals sweet on nuke power. Kansai electric have paid more than ¥15 billion anonymous donations since 2006 when it told the prefecture it would run an aging reactor for a further 10 years.

Absolutely untrue. If the donations are anonymous, then you have no way to know who made them, and any claims that they were made by the power industry MUST be regarded as false.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Just came home from a feed and beers with a dozen Japanese coworkers. Not one of them had any knowledge or interest in this issue.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Some critics say the government is making undue haste to get reactors up and running because surviving peak summer demand without nuclear power would make it hard to convince the public that atomic energy is vital."

And some would say that the government is making sure there is excess capacity to cope that will be needed if the summer is another record-breaker like 2010.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Blair HerronMay. 15, 2012 - 07:43PM JST

I see big active faults near Oi NPPs on the map. NISA told KEPCO that it should plan for the possibility of a simultaneous rupture along underwater faults near the plant as well as the land-based Kumagawa fault. Those faults have a combined length of 63 kilometers.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201203290069

The article also states that, according to the stress test, the reactors have a massive safety margin before meltdowns could occur.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

zichiMay. 15, 2012 - 07:20PM JST

"They obviously see the oi reactors a safer option for restart, as the region sees far fewer earthquakes than the rest of japan. With it not being on the pacific coast either the tsunami risk is far far lower too."

There was an earthquake there in 1949 which killed about 3,000 people.

But at the northern end of the prefecture, not the southern area where to Oi plants are located. There was an earthquake in Wakasa Bay in 1963, but it appears of not only in scientific journals.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Environmental group Greenpeace said the government’s “reckless push” to get reactors back in service “has left many communities thinking they have to choose between risks to their health and safety, and risks to their jobs and prosperity.

Well, seeing that Greenpeace want to shut all reactors worldwide they'd be more honest saying people have to choose between a small risk to their health and safety (nukes) or devastating the planet with the increased burning of fossil fuels that their plans entail.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Think different and reap the rewards later. Don't think and don't learn from your mistakes....Well we know how that ends...Well we know how that ends...Well we know how that ends...Well we know how that ends...Well we know how that ends...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

kurisupisu May. 15, 2012 - 07:18AM JST

Fukui prefecture is prone to particularly strong destructive earthquakes. To have operating nuclear plants there is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of millions at risk. Have the Japanese learned nothing from Fukushima???

I only know of the 1948 earthquake, which was magnitude 7.3, as being particularly destructive, - if you have info on more, please post here.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The article also states that, according to the stress test, the reactors have a massive safety margin before meltdowns could occur.

Yes. I hope the stress test proves it’s safe although some experts I posted above say the stress test is insufficient.

There are also some changes need to be made if they restart the reactors.

*Oi NPPs need to set up vent systems with filters attached in order to reduce the risk of the release of radioactive substances in the event of a sever nuclear accident.

*Oi NPPs need to set up earthquake-proof accident management facilities.

*Oi NPPs need permanent electricity generation systems for emergencies.

All these three above are the ones on the timetable of 30 safety measures required by the government. They don’t have them yet. Edano said Oi NPPs are “more or less safe”. “More or less safety” makes me worried.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The fact is nobody can predict where and when earthquakes will occur. This is true not only for Japan but for the whole world.

Citing nuclear plants in areas more likely to have earthquakes such as Japan is foolhardy.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The Fukushima nuclear disaster has contaminated more than 10,000 sq km and the eventual cost of dealing with it and the Fukushima NPP will be more than ¥30 trillion

Zichi

I ask again to give me the source for this above cost. You have avoided this twice already.

Thanks.

-5 ( +2 / -6 )

Blair HerronMay. 15, 2012 - 08:21AM JST

I often post alternatives, but I am often ignored somehow… :'( I don’t know the long term effect, but according to some experts we could get through this summer without NPPs.

I never ignore your posts Blair, always good stuff in them.

“Koide Hiroaki (assistant professor of Kyoto University)”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTx942kwh94

He seems to be pushing for increased use of fossil fuels, which are having a great impact on our planet as we speak. They can also be knocked out by faults, which are increasingly likely as maintenance shutdowns are being skipped to keep them running 24/7. He also pushes hydro dam use, which as he originally opposed nukes on social justice grounds (benefits to inhabitants vs. that of users) seems hypocritical to me. At least nuke-hosting areas get money from the govt. yearly, hydro-hosting areas lose their homes and see little govt. money compared to nukes.

“Sharing excess power could avert summer supply crisis” by Asahi Shimbun

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201204100065

The article could be a bit more rigorous - KEPCO's needs are stated as 5.5 GW, but a "transmission capacity" around KEPCO of "more than 29 GW" does not mean that power is available - the surrounding utilities need to use that power too.

Iida Tetsuya

http://www.at-douga.com/?p=5022

Video does not load for me. Who is Iida Tesuya, and what are his qualifications?

Takano Masao (professor of Nayoya uni)

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjsp9n_yyyyyy-yyyyyyyy-1-2_news

From the web he seems to be a geologist/environmentalist, not a power expert. Also, are there any translations available of his comments?

LNG projects based on shale gas have been proposed to partially meet Japan’s LNG needs.

http://nippon.com/en/in-depth/a00303/

Shale gas apparently has problems with greenhouse gas emissions, water and air polution, and causes earthquakes to boot.

There are a number of IPP: Independent Power Producer, such as Sumitomo Kinzoku Co., Osaka gas, Kanden Plant Co., …and many others.

But do they have the excess capacity? I assume they already have people they supply power to.

KEPCO supply capacity: 27,600,000kw

So if KEPCO faces a shortfall of around 20% it needs around 5.6 GW, gels with the Asahi article above.

The number of days when peak electricity demand exceeded supply (27,600,000kw) in 2011:1 day [August 9, 2011 for 4 hours (demand: 27,850,000kw)]

But there were nukes available then, as opposed to now.

If this summer is as hot as last summer, blackout possibility in Kansai area would be one day (out of 365 days).

What are the possibilities if they were as hot as 2010?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Maximum generation capacity is different from output capacity for the latter fluctuates. The explanation is given from KEPCO's site.

An example of the daily fluctuation is summarized below. http://www.kepco.co.jp/setsuden/graph/pop/reference_hendou.html

Daily output and usage from Jan~March

http://www.kepco.co.jp/setsuden/graph/result_2011_winter.pdf

An example of power usage and output capacity per types of electricity which indicates nuclear power output being constant while the other fluctuates.

http://www.kepco.co.jp/setsuden/graph/pop/reference_juyou.html

An example thermal power turbines and how the output fluctuates.

http://www.kepco.co.jp/setsuden/graph/pop/reference_suiryoku.html

An example hydro and how the output fluctuates.

http://www.kepco.co.jp/setsuden/graph/pop/reference_karyoku.html

In summary, Kansai area is very vulnerable to blackouts with the unstability of both thermal and hydro powers. A heatwave could result in casualties.

-4 ( +4 / -7 )

103 comments. How many of them were from residents of the Oi township or the Fukui prefecture? Those are the only ones who matter. The rest of us really have no business telling them what's best for them.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Maybe Fadamor, but this news is about a town council which has bowed, taken the money, and given their go ahead for a restart. This will immediately affect the whole country.

When one sheep moves, the rest follow. Towns and cities up and down the country having been waiting for someone to break ranks and allow a restart. And it's hardly two weeks since the last one shut down for routine maintenance.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

103 comments. How many of them were from residents of the Oi township or the Fukui prefecture? Those are the only ones who matter. The rest of us really have no business telling them what's best for them.

You mean the good people of Oi have found a way of stopping radiation leaking past town boundaries when the next big earthquake hits? Why hasn't this wonderful new technology been reported in the press? And why isn't it being used in Fukushima?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

where are all the protestors now. its stupid to close all reactors just because 1 failed due to tsunami.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@garomakaikishi

its stupid to close all reactors just because 1 failed due to tsunami.

Exactly - it wasn't the quake that knocked it out but the tsunami.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Last year there were many posts downplaying the disaster, only to be proved wrong as information was/is trickled out. Again as we look to the future and the restarting people are down playing the down side. Still no over site, independent system of checks. An addmitace that safety is 3 years away, how on earth is this a good call? Blatant scare mongering backed by a decision process that has all the hall marks of the system that got us to this point. Greed stupidity secrecy and fear, Fukashima is an unstable dangerous facility fix that first and I might change my mind. I pray there are no more disasters but the track record does not inspire hope. Putting money before Saftey is ridiculous.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

You mean the good people of Oi have found a way of stopping radiation leaking past town boundaries when the next big earthquake hits? Why hasn't this wonderful new technology been reported in the press? And why isn't it being used in Fukushima?

So the people of the Oi township and the Fukui Prefecture have to suffer higher unemployment because of the fears of someone in another prefecture entirely? Their livelihood versus your fear. Guess which one has higher priority to them?

Do you plan on invading Fukui prefecture to force your will on them? Establish an occupying force to make sure Fukui prefecture don't start the reactors up without your express written permission?

TWO of us can play the sarcasm game.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

@nigelboy

A heatwave could result in casualties

Heatwaves have caused casualties even before the reactors were shut down.

I have no idea how the government got the thumbs-up for the reactors' restarts, but the question still remains: Are the nuclear plants manned with responsible people?

Japan's nuclear mess has been a very hot topic here in JT, including the documented mismanagement of the operators.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Sorry Elvensilvan

The heatwave could result in more casualities due to blackouts.

And Zichi,

I'm still waiting on the proof of your 30 trillion yen figure.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

TWO of us can play the sarcasm game.

Yet for some reason, only one of you gets voted down.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So the people of the Oi township and the Fukui Prefecture have to suffer higher unemployment because of the fears of someone in another prefecture entirely? Their livelihood versus your fear.

Shutting down the reactors and making them safe will provide employment for lots of people for a long, long time. In the meantime their grandchildren will be able to train for some other career - maybe in safe, renewable energy?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

zichi:

" several media opinion polls throughout Kansai have shown that up to two-thirds of residents want the reactors to remain shut down "

Do the same media polls also confirm that the up to two thirds of residens want permanent unemployment blackouts and old people to die in the summer heat?

Or are the media polls phrased in such a way to suggest to people that they can have their cake and eat it?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Who is Iida Tesuya, and what are his qualifications?

He is the head of ISEP(Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies) and attends Osaka Energy Strategy Council.

http://www.isep.or.jp/e/Eng_index.html

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm17579019

From the web he seems to be a geologist/environmentalist, not a power expert. Also, are there any translations available of his comments?

Masao Takano, associate professor of earth environmental systems at Nagoya University, is skeptical of arguments that nuclear power is indispensable for propping up the Japanese economy. “It is mistaken to believe that (the economy) would not be able to survive without nuclear power,” he said. He compared last summer’s peak electricity demand projected by each utility against its capacity to supply energy through power plants other than nuclear facilities. TEPCO had a surplus of 3.8 percent, and KEPCO had a surplus of 5.2 percent, according to Takano’s research. Takano said overall, the utilities will have no problems supplying power this summer.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201202160062

But do they have the excess capacity? I assume they already have people they supply power to.

I don’t have any further info for that, sorry.

So if KEPCO faces a shortfall of around 20% it needs around 5.6 GW, gels with the Asahi article above.

KEPCO’s shortage percentage changes quite often. They said:

April 23: 16.3% shortage

May 6: 14.9% (with Oi NPPs)

May 10: 14.9% (without Oi NPPs)

May 15 (yesterday): 5% (without Oi NPPs according to KEPCO employee Yamane Motoki at Osaka Energy Strategy Council)

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/120515/trd12051514520009-n1.htm

TEPCO area saved power 18% last summer. KEPCO projects Kansai area would save power 3%. (Kansai people don’t like setsuden?) Kansai could save more power according to Kazuhiro Ueda (政府受給検証委員会government panel)

http://www.at-douga.com/?p=5329

What are the possibilities if they were as hot as 2010?

I have only one source to answer that question since KEPCO changes numbers quite often. (KEPCO employee Yamane Motoki said they don’t want to disclose the numbers because people start calculating.)

The max demand in 2010 in Kansai was 31,380,000kw.

Pro. Takano’s calculation (according to Agency for natural resources and energy white book電源開発の概要2010) shows KEPCO can generate total power of 38,600,000kw(with NPPs), 34,080,000kw(without NPPs)

http://www.at-douga.com/?p=4811

I am still waiting for further detail how KEPCO has come up with the number of 5% shortage this summer.

I never ignore your posts Blair, always good stuff in them.

Thank you. I remember you are the only poster that left comments for “pumped hydro” thing.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

One problem I would have with Haruki Madarame, is that I think for most of last year he was in kind of denial. Being the top commissioner for nuclear safety I would have thought he had his finger on the button for dealing with the nuclear disaster, but we heard almost nothing from him, until he appeared before the Diet Commission last Jan/Feb?

I’m not sure what Madarame is up to now. In March he said he wants to quit because he is exhausted mentally.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/rss/nn20120311a6.html

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Blair Herron I think we all (well most of us) appreciate your comments and great information gathering skills. I personally don't reply very often, but rather just nod my head in agreement and click "Thumbs Up"

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If there were an accident at Oi then it is sure that Kansai would be contaminated. Even though the wind direction in Japan has led most of the fallout from Fukushima to blow out to sea it is a known fact that contamination from Fukushima has appeared in Tokyo and Yokohama-cities with high population densities. Tokyo Bay is seeing increasing radioactivity that is likely to continue in years to come and will remain for many years to work its way into the food chain.

Personally, I have experienced blackouts and although inconvenient I have not suffered any ill effects-can we say the same for radioactive contamination?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

SuidBert, zichi, thank YOU :)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Even without the Oi reactors, the likely power shortage will be nearer to 5%, and not the claimed 15-20%. That is a figure Kansai could easily deal with, without power cuts or reductions.

False. If you read Blair's article correctly, the 5% shortage is based on the premise that other companies will also conduct power reduction (setsuden) in order for KEPCO to receive power from them. It also does not factor in the tempature increase and the possible mechanical breakdown of thermal power units in those other companies.

Instead of focusing too much on the remote "possibility" of another Fukushima, I'd suggest you focus on the imminent and most likely probability of this happening.

And I'm still waiting on your proof of your 30 trillion yen figure. This is the 4th time you ignored my request.

Thank you.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Stupid but if they must, move the back up generators to the roof.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Reasons WWF International, the global conservation organisation is strongly opposed to nuclear energy are as follows. you therefore go for nuclear energy at your peril as teh quote answers all your questions, including jobs, greenhouse gases, costs, etc, etc: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/climate_carbon_energy/energy_solutions/nuclear_power/

Solutions to energy-related problems such as global warming can only deliver long-term benefits if they reduce instead of merely displace humanity’s damaging impacts on the environment. Nuclear energy is still unsafe – for both humans and nature. The argument that the world should re-embrace nuclear power is seriously flawed. Replacing fossil fuel fired power stations with nuclear energy simply replaces one fundamental environmental problem with another. It is clear that nuclear power remains particularly dangerous and difficult to control. This has been demonstrated by the accidents at Chernobyl, Russia, in 1986 and at Tokaimura, Japan, in 1999. WWF believes that nuclear power is not a sustainable source of energy because it is a huge safety risk: The entire commercial chain of the processing of nuclear raw materials from nuclear mining; operating nuclear power stations; handling nuclear waste and finally re-processing, is full of leaks and contamination and produces a highly toxic legacy for thousands of years to come. The creation and handling of highly toxic nuclear products and the unsolved issue of safe storage of waste demonstrates the unsustainability of the technology. There are also primarily economic reasons that prevent nuclear from being a viable alternative to combat climate change: Investment in nuclear power projects can drain badly-needed funds from energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes, most of which have substantially lower specific greenhouse gas abatement costs than nuclear energy. Nuclear technology does not create incentives for energy savings. It is a ‘base-load’ technology whose energy output runs continuously and cannot be adjusted to specific consumer and industrial demand. Focusing on nuclear power will block innovation in the power supply sector and in demand side efficiency. It has an opportunity cost that is even bigger than the actual - huge - investment: It needs to maintain large and inefficient power grid systems. It displaces investment in more efficient small-scale power supply and energy services. It limits employment opportunities to highly specialised staff in a very capital-intensive industrial sector.

Nuclear energy is more expensive compared to other energy supply options in most if not all cases. This is one of the main reasons why no new nuclear reactors - except one in Finland - are presently planned or under construction in the OECD until about 2010. Most of the power utilities with nuclear stations either receive direct or indirect subsidies from the state (such as British Energy in the UK, EdF in France). Expansion of nuclear power in many developing nations is sometimes a smokescreen to allow access to military nuclear raw materials. Global expansion of nuclear energy is, therefore, highly likely to breach or undermine compliance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Conclusion WWF does not believe that nuclear power is the solution to global warming. In fact, WWF has a vision for the future which phases out the use of fossil fuel and nuclear in the share of energy use across the globe. This is both possible and necessary in order to ensure an environmentally sound, secure and peaceful future.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Researchers to check faults beneath Tsuruga reactors

AND YET..... Oi assembly agrees to restart 2 reactors

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Rick Kisa May. 17, 2012 - 03:14AM JST There are also primarily economic reasons that prevent nuclear from being a viable alternative to combat climate change: Investment in nuclear power projects can drain badly-needed funds from energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes, most of which have substantially lower specific greenhouse gas abatement costs than nuclear energy.

Yes, nuclear plants are very expensive to run. I believe nuclear plants are, like most other things, cheaper in bulk. Most of the cost comes from the initial building of the plant, the running costs are comparatively low. However, nuclear power is reliable. There is no need to worry about interruptions to the power supply as long as there is uranium, there will be power. This is a stark contrast to most renewable energies which depend on the activity of the weather. And if you compare with the fossil fuel, they are clean. I'm using this term strictly to refer to the greenhouse gas emissions of a nuclear plant. There is some greenhouse gas emissions associated with the life cycle of uranium. However, this is significantly less than the emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels. Also, the nuclear power plants don't take up much space. This allows them to be placed in already developed areas and the power does not have to be transferred over long distances. However, there are issues with radioactive waste.

-7 ( +0 / -6 )

They looked at it, the economic benefit to the community against the likelihood of a large earthquake actually happening there, and they decided the risk was worth it. After all there hasn't been a big one for quite a few years now.

If nothing does go wrong they'll all be laughing.

If something terrible happens, it will be the fault of the combined community (no one single individual), and besides it will be so grim that it will be out of anyone's hands.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

zichi May. 15, 2012 - 11:07PM JST

The fact is, Fukui is a very small prefecture and we know from last years disaster, a powerful earthquake can destroy a very large area, even hundreds of km from an epicenter. All but one of the plants in Fukui are on fault lines.

The Tsunami was the agent of destruction last year. As for all the plants but one in Fukui, are they on or near fault lines - and are the fault lines active or only suspected of being active. That is the kind of detail that is needed.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

cleoMay. 16, 2012 - 08:30AM JST

"So the people of the Oi township and the Fukui Prefecture have to suffer higher unemployment because of the fears of someone in another prefecture entirely? Their livelihood versus your fear."

Shutting down the reactors and making them safe will provide employment for lots of people for a long, long time. In the meantime their grandchildren will be able to train for some other career - maybe in safe, renewable energy?

Or maybe hunting for food to survive in a world ruined by global warming?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Blair HerronMay. 16, 2012 - 10:02AM JST

”Who is Iida Tesuya, and what are his qualifications?”

He is the head of ISEP(Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies) and attends Osaka Energy Strategy Council.

Thanks for your info Blair - had a long reply ready to go and my browser ate it. Will send later.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

zichiMay. 17, 2012 - 01:18AM JST

Tue, KEPCO said that while it currently stands by its projection of a 15 percent shortage, a combination of purchasing electricity from other suppliers, ramping up natural energy use and instituting curbs on power use might actually shrink the projected shortage to 5 percent.

5% would be very easy to deal with.

And would still result in power outages. And with plant failures, who knows how more outages would result?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Rick KisaMay. 17, 2012 - 03:14AM JST

Reasons WWF International, the global conservation organisation is strongly opposed to nuclear energy are as follows.

Solutions to energy-related problems such as global warming can only deliver long-term benefits if they reduce instead of merely displace humanity’s damaging impacts on the environment. Nuclear energy is still unsafe – for both humans and nature. The argument that the world should re-embrace nuclear power is seriously flawed.

Personally, I can live with a few nuclear incidents every decade if the prevent climate change resulting in mass-extinction events. Recently the IEA warned that we're heading towards a 6 degree temperature increase:

"Mr Jones presented a traffic light scorecard. Of 11 technologies to reduce emissions, only renewable power - particularly from wind and solar - merited a green for being on track.

Fuel economy, electric vehicles and industry were given an amber.

Most of the chart is red, including biofuels for transport; building efficiency; nuclear power; carbon capture and storage in industry and power generation; and cleaner conventional coal."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17847196

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Personally I think mass extinction is better than an increasingly irradiated gene pool.

Anyway, temperatures on Mars have been rising too, so all things in good measure.

Without mass panic we should problem solve in ways that we humans are good at.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Shutting down the reactors and making them safe will provide employment for lots of people for a long, long time. In the meantime their grandchildren will be able to train for some other career - maybe in safe, renewable energy?

Umm. The reactors are shut down NOW. Where's your "lots of employment"? Their grandchildren can train for other careers whether reactors are online or not. There's no law forbidding them from learning to operate renewable energy plants while a nuclear reactor is online.

My real point is this stance that one prefecture can't do anything without another prefecture's approval. Someone is very full of themself.

Again, if Fukui prefecture really IS in favor of restarting then they should be the ones to make the decision to do so. Not some other prefecture.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Thanks for your info Blair - had a long reply ready to go and my browser ate it. Will send later.

Don't know if you need to Star-viking.

No need. Iida's premise is based on an assumption that by raising the electrical costs at peak times, people/company will reduce consumption, that other electric power companies will increase their transfer to KEPCO at a higher cost, and both hydro and thermal output would remain at near full capacity. And of course, he's taking into the account that the summer heat will be at last year's levels.

Too many variables which could go wrong imminently but to those anti-nuclear crowds, this is irrelevant.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Too many variables which could go wrong imminently

Maybe so, but I think at least it’s worth knowing there are possible alternatives.

had a long reply ready to go and my browser ate it. Will send later.

kk :)

(ホンネ:え゛~まだやんの…)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Until they are able to get replacement power generators started, it may be necessary to keep some of those reactors running. Preferably only the newest ones.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We haven't even resolved the Fukushima nuclear crisis yet...and they're already talking about restarts.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Renewable energy plants take time to build - years not days. Until they are built and put online, and with all the nuclear power plants shut down, Japan has no choice but to ramp up production at their oil and gas generated power plants. This will cost the Japanese taxpayer billions of dollars more and increased utility rates of up to 70%.

Also, as I said many times before, thousands of people will be getting sick from the pollution generated by these types of power plants. If they don't run them they'll be massive black outs and more people will die. Health costs will increase as well, possibility up to 30%.

The ideal solution is to turn on all the existing nuclear power plants and start shutting them down one by one when renewable energy plants are built and come on line. Isn't this obvious?

The government needs to set a deadline. Replace one nuclear power plant every 5 years with a renewable energy plant - geothermal, wind, solar, tidal. If the companies don't, then fine the utility companies. This project will create jobs and technical innovations that Japan can sell to the world.

This may be an opportunity for Japan to get out of it's current economic slump by developing more efficient and high output alternative energy plant technologies which they can market globally.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

There's a thing called energy conservation. And if the industries wanted electricity, then there's plenty available at night. People need to start getting more creative and make more efforts into saving energy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan needs nuclear energy because supplies of oil and LNG are getting too expensive and because alternative sources of power -- wind, geothermal, solar -- are too few or too underdeveloped to make up the shortfall.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Good BYJapan,once this is started...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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