nuclear-news

Japan shuts down its last nuclear reactor

100% nuclear free: Japan shuts down its last reactor  Tree Hugger, Michael Graham Richard  September 16, 2013 On Monday (Sunday locally), Japan switched off the last of its operating nuclear reactors and became 100% nuclear-free for the first time in decades, apart from soon after the devastating 2011 Tsunami. Kansai Electric Power took offline the No. 4 reactor at its Oi nuclear plant in the western prefecture of Fukui at 1:33 a.m. (1633 GMT Sunday) for inspection. Right now there is no scheduled date for the reactor to be turned back on.

This is impressive because nuclear power used to supply about 1/3 of Japan’s electricity, which is a lot because the country is still the world’s third biggest economy.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has openly backed a return to the widespread use of atomic energy, but the public remains divided over his support, with opponents concerned on safety grounds……..http://www.treehugger.com/energy-policy/japan-shuts-down-its-last-nuclear-reactor-goes-100-nuclear-free.html

September 17, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general