Kyushu Electric Power Co. has submitted more details on its safety measures for a
Kyushu Electric Power Co. has submitted more details on its safety measures for a
The measures submitted on Oct. 8 are an extension of the utility’s application to restart two reactors at the plant in Satsuma-Sendai. The
Anti-nuclear protesters have pointed to the risk of a volcano damaging the Sendai nuclear plant in light of the Sept. 27 eruption of
The Sendai plant is located about 50 km from Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano that erupts frequently. Another active volcano, Mount Kirishimayama, is 60 km from the plant.
Kyushu Electric’s safety measures that were approved in September had already taken into account the possibility of a volcanic eruption. Under those measures, the operator will halt the reactors and transport nuclear fuel from the facility if researchers see signs that a huge eruption could occur. The company estimates the entire process to remove all the fuel will take at least five years.
The details for the measures submitted on Oct. 8 said that the Kyushu Electric president will receive seismic and tectonic observations by researchers once a year after they consult with volcanologists and seismologists.
The utility plans to notify the NRA of the results as well.
Additionally, if the company section in charge of carrying out the measures observes possible signs of an eruption, they will report the situation to the president after consulting experts.
If Kyushu Electric concludes that the situation is indeed dangerous, the president will order the removal of the nuclear fuel from the plant.
However, a company official said specific measures on removing fuel rods and where they will be transported to will be “considered when we are actually given orders to do so.”