Nuke News: Anti-nuclear groups protest the restarting of Japan’s reactors

Anti-nuclear groups protest the restarting of Japan’s reactors

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Ida Torres in National      

Various civic groups that are against nuclear power held a protest rally in front of the Nuclear Regulation Authority in the Roppongi District of Tokyo as the new safety standards were put into effect on Monday, allowing utility companies to apply for the restart of their respective reactors. Around 80 demonstrators chanted “No to restarts” to try to convince Hokkaido, Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu electric power companies to not file their applications to have the reactors go back online.

http://japandailypress.com/anti-nuclear-groups-protest-the-restarting-of-japans-reactors-0831893

Early switch-on of Japan’s nuclear operators unlikely

by Agency Staff, July 08 2013, 11:39

But the pro-nuclear LDP must tread carefully to avoid compromising the independence of the new regulator, which is battling to build credibility with a public whose faith in nuclear power was damaged after meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power’s Fukushima Daiichi station.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has said it would take at least six months to review nuclear units, following which the consent of communities hosting reactors is needed.
Polls show most of Japan’s population want to end reliance on atomic power and are opposed to restarts
http://www.bdlive.co.za/world/asia/2013/07/08/early-switch-on-of-japans-nuclear-operators-unlikely

Former Chief of Fukushima Nuclear Plant Has Died

Masao Yoshida, the man who led the life-risking battle at Japan's crippled nuclear power plant when it was spiraling into meltdowns, died Tuesday of cancer of the esophagus. He was 58.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Yoshimi Hitosugi said Yoshida died at a Tokyo hospital. TEPCO officials said his illness was not related to radiation exposure.
Yoshida led efforts to stabilize the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami knocked out its power and cooling systems, causing triple meltdowns and massive radiation leaks.
Recalling the first few days when the three reactors suffered meltdowns in succession, Yoshida later said: "There were several instances when I thought we were all going to die here. I feared the plant was getting out of control and we would be finished."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/chief-fukushima-nuclear-plant-died-19613330#.Udxv-avD82w

Vogtle nuclear power plant loan guarantee talks extended

07/08/2013

By Editors of Electric Light & Power/ POWERGRID International

The U.S. government has issued a third deadline extension to Southern Co. on negotiations for a federal loan guarantee for the financing of the two new nuclear reactors at Southern Co.'s Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia, according to the Associated Press.
The deadline for an agreement has been extended to September 30. The loan guarantee offer from the Department of Energy would have the federal government assume the company’s debt, up to $8.3 billion, if it defaults. A deal has been in negotiation since 2010 though no agreement on details has been reached, according to the Power Engineering.
http://www.elp.com/articles/2013/07/vogtle-nuclear-power-plant-loan-guarantee-talks-extended.html