Needs revision

May 8, 2014

NRA: Plant report needs revisions on 42 items

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140508_29.html

Japan's nuclear regulator has asked Kyushu Electric Power Company to revise a report on a nuclear power plant. The key document is needed for safety screening that will decide if the idle plant can be restarted.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority screened the utility's report on its Sendai plant in southwestern Japan on Thursday. It identified 42 cases of insufficient data.

The utility applied last July for the screening of the plant's 2 reactors. The firm resubmitted the 7,200-page document late last month in response to NRA instructions.

In Thursday's session, NRA officials noted that the report fails to mention how the plant's operator would prevent a fire from an airplane crash.

The officials also said the report must specify ways to estimate hydrogen density in order to prevent an explosion. It must also detail procedures to cope with certain emergencies.

The NRA is expected to draw up a safety assessment by the end of May, and could complete the screening by the end of June.

But the request for revisions could delay the process, depending on how the utility responds.

Kyushu Electric may not be able to put the plant back online before summer, as it also must also undergo inspections of its facilities and operations.

May 8, 2014 - Updated 06:59 UTC