Public meeting in Ibaraki

July 5, 2014

Reactor operator explains safety to residents

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140705_13.html 

The operator of the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo, has held a public meeting to explain its safety measures. The utility has applied for a government safety screening to restart operations at the idled plant.

Japan Atomic Power Company held its first public meeting on Friday evening for residents in the Shirakata district of Tokai village, which hosts the plant.

Sources say more than 20 people attended.

According to the sources, utility officials explained safety measures such as building an embankment to prevent a tsunami from damaging the plant. The embankment would be more than 18 meters high.

The officials also told local residents about plans to equip the plant with devices called filter vents to be used in the event of an accident.

The residents asked for details about the embankment and about how the plant would secure power sources during emergencies.

Some participants said they got the impression that progress is being made on safety measures. But others said there wasn't enough time to ask questions to dispel their concerns.

The head of the utility's Tokai office, Tetsuya Shimamori, said the company wants to devise a better way to brief the public on its safety measures.

The meetings will be held in all 30 districts of Tokai city by the end of August.

Japan Atomic Power Company applied to the Nuclear Regulation Authority for a safety check in May.