KEPCO's study on Mihama fault postponed again

 May 30, 2013

 KEPCO to put off final report on fault study

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130530_18.html

Kansai Electric Power Company, or KEPCO, says it will again postpone releasing its assessment of a seismic fault that runs below the Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.

KEPCO, which operates the plant, has been conducting a geological survey on the fault since September.

The utility says it will put off its final report until the end of July, saying it has not been able to gather all the necessary data. KEPCO originally said it would release the report in March before postponing it until the end of May.

The company says it will inform the Nuclear Regulation Authority of its new plan on Thursday.

Analysts say faults below the Mihama nuclear power plant could shift in response to movement by an active fault located one kilometer to the east.

The Mihama plant is one of six sites at which the Nuclear Regulation Authority plans to conduct its own examination. The facility has three reactors, all of which are currently offline.

KEPCO's postponement of the assessment has resulted in a delay of the authority's investigation.