nuclear-news

Nuclear power obstacle in Japan: new evacuation plans

under the new radiation forecast, many more local governments will have to compile disaster management plans for areas that could require evacuation.

Radiation forecast creates hurdle in resuming nuclear plant operations UPDATE: Forecast predicts wider evacuations needed if nuclear disaster repeated October 25, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Municipalities are demanding a greater say in whether utilities can restart their reactors after the new industry watchdog placed more communities in the danger zone of possible nuclear accidents.

Electric power companies, however, appear reluctant to accept those demands.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority on Oct. 24 released a radiation forecast that showed many more municipalities would be at risk of high levels of radiation exposure from nuclear plants hit by an accident similar to the one at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

“Realistically, it will be difficult to operate nuclear power plants without the consent of local governments,” Shunichi Tanaka, chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, said at an Oct. 24 news conference.

Currently, electric power companies only seek the consent of the
prefectural government and municipalities that host the nuclear power
plants. But under the new radiation forecast, many more local governments will have to compile disaster management plans for areas that could require evacuation.

The utilities may be forced to negotiate with these local governments
if they want to restart reactors at their plants…..
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201210250062

October 26, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Japan, politics, safety