Posted on 12/01/2014 5:30:16 AM PST by WhiskeyX
OSAKA – Kansai Electric Power Co. on Monday began checking the safety of two aging nuclear reactors in Fukui Prefecture that are nearing the end of their certified lives to see if it can keep them going for another two decades.
The reactors are the No. 1 and No. 2 units at the Takahama nuclear plant.
Safety requirements adopted after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis include a provision requiring operators to shut and dismantle reactors when they are 40 years old. But the nuclear regulator may grant a one-time extension of up to 20 years if utilities carry out thorough checks on their safety systems and the integrity of the containment vessel.
Seven of Japan’s 48 nuclear reactors are either 40 years old or close to it. Kepco was the first utility to declare it would try to keep old reactors in action after the Fukushima meltdowns, while the government has sought to have old units shut.
(Excerpt) Read more at japantimes.co.jp ...
“Japan’s 48 nuclear reactors”
Didn’t know they had that many.
If Fukishima only had more batteires, and a major priority was getting them backup generators after the quake AND tsunami, it would have gone in history as one of the greatest saftety success stories
What I dont understand is why they didn’t immediately shut down (while they still had battery power)
and couldnt the generator power itself through a shutdown ?
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