Anything could happen with screening

 March 13, 2014

NRA chief: Massive tasks for screening

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140313_42.html 

Japan's nuclear regulator has brushed away speculation about the restart date of the Sendai nuclear plant, despite prioritizing it for safety screenings.

Shunichi Tanaka, chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, was explaining its decision on Thursday to check the plant in Kagoshima Prefecture ahead of others.

Tanaka said with so many safety items still to be examined anything could happen, especially if officials take time over planned checkups.

He said the decision on whether to speed up procedures for checks at other plants depends on the efforts of operators.

He said the NRA may make such a decision if operators clear major safety problems. But he said the reality is that they have yet to resolve outstanding issues.

Tanaka said one reason why safety screening is taking time is because operators are struggling to adapt to new safety regulations, which are very different from previous ones.