{"id":17833,"date":"2018-06-09T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-06-09T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prod-jp-raw.greenpeace.org\/japan\/press-release\/press-release_1086\/"},"modified":"2024-07-08T09:03:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T00:03:22","slug":"press-release_1086","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/japan\/press-release\/press-release_1086\/","title":{"rendered":"No early restart for TEPCO\u2019s nuclear reactors after Niigata election"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Niigata, June 10 2018 \u2013 The plans of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) for early restart of two reactors at Kashiwazaki Kariwa remain uncertain with the election of the new Governor of Niigata prefecture, Greenpeace Japan stated.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cTEPCO remains in crisis, and there are no prospects for restart in the coming few years. The new\u00a0Governor needs to maintain Niigata\u2019s existing policy which is to conclude investigations into the\u00a0Fukushima nuclear disaster, as well establish a credible evacuation plan. TEPCO also needs to\u00a0fully disclose how it was that the risks of liquefaction at unit Kashiwazaki Kariwa 6&7 reactors were\u00a0not notified to Japan\u2019s nuclear regulator before safety approval last year. Local citizens and experts\u00a0have challenged TEPCO for more than four decades that the site is at major seismic risk. More\u00a0than seven years after the Fukushima accident, TEPCO remains committed to secrecy rather than\u00a0transparency,\u201d said Shaun Burnie of Greenpeace Germany currenly based in Japan.<\/p>\n

The new Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, backed by the LDP, stated during the campaign that he would require the completion of the prefectural investigation committees before considering approval for restart of Kashiwazaki Kariwa reactors. \u00a0The committee of experts are investigating the causes and impacts of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, including on public health, as well as reviewing emergency evacuation plans for the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear plant. The committees are expected to complete their work in mid 2020.<\/p>\n

TEPCO\u2019s Kashiwazaki Kariwa reactor units 6&7 passed Nuclear Regulation Authority review in\u00a0December 2017. However, local approval, including by the Niigata governor, is required before any\u00a0restart. Disclosures by TEPCO in February that essential emergency buildings at the site are\u00a0vulnerable to seismically induced liquefaction further undermined their stated claim to being\u00a0committed to safety and transparency.Neither Niigata citizens or politicians, or the NRA, were\u00a0notified of the major risks prior to the safety approval.[1]<\/p>\n

Maintaining units 6&7 and not generating electricity costs TEPCO \u00a5240 billion (US$2.3 billion) per annum. In its 2017 Revised Comprehensive Special Business Plan, TEPCO reported its aim to restart of KK units 6&7 from 2019, 2020 or 2021. Greenpeace Japan didn\u2019t think these were credible then, and they have become even less likely as a result of the election. A major factor in the restart plan is the ability of TEPCO to cover its share of the Fukushima Daiichi accident costs which are 15 trillion yen (US$14 billion), requiring up to 500 billion yen (US$455 million) per annum.[2]<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1] \u00a0In case of liquefaction due to earthquake fear of nuclear damage damage at Kashiwazaki Kariwa:\u00a0TEPCO not explaining locally, 10 February 2018<\/a><\/p>\n

[2] \u00a0For background analysis see\u00a0TEPCO\u2019s Atomic Illusion, June 2017<\/a>,\u00a0;\u00a0Japan Times, \u201cTepco\u00a0business plan, including July reactor restart, gets official OK\u201d, 15 January 2014<\/a>,<\/p>\n

Contacts:<\/strong>
Shaun Burnie, Senior Nuclear Specialist, Greenpeace Germany,\u00a0sburnie@greenpeace.org,\u00a0+81 (0)80-3694-2843\u00a0(Currently based in Japan)
Chisato Jono, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Japan,\u00a0chisato.jono@greenpeace.org,\u00a0+81 (0) 80-6558-4446<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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