Ex SKF .....
To win 2020 Olympic for Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared to the world that his government will be "at the forefront" to deal with problems at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. Reading the article by Nikkei Shinbun about his most recent visit to the plant and comments from his ministers, it sure looks all talk, nothing but talk.
From Nikkei Shinbun (9/19/2013):
Energy News......
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
Just as Expected, "National Government at the Forefront" of #Fukushima I Nuke Plant Problems Is All Talk, Little Money, Relies Entirely on TEPCO
To win 2020 Olympic for Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared to the world that his government will be "at the forefront" to deal with problems at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. Reading the article by Nikkei Shinbun about his most recent visit to the plant and comments from his ministers, it sure looks all talk, nothing but talk.
From Nikkei Shinbun (9/19/2013):
安倍晋三首相は19日、東京電力福島第１原子力発電所を視察し、広瀬直己東電社長に運転を停止している５、６号機の廃炉を決めるよう要請した。既に廃炉が決まっている１～４号機だけでなく福島第１原発全体を廃炉にすることで、汚染水問題など事故対策全体を加速させる。広瀬社長は年内に判断すると応じたが、受け入れる公算が大きい。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant on September 19 and requested TEPCO's President Naomi Hirose to decommission Reactors 5 and 6. By decommissioning the entire plant, not just Reactors 1 through 4, Prime Minister Abe hopes to accelerate the whole response to the accident, including the problems of contaminated water. President Hirose said he would decide within this year, but it is likely that he will agree to the request.
首相は広瀬社長との会談で(1)５、６号機の廃炉決定(2)廃炉に向けた安全対策を機動的に取れるように、現場の裁量で使える予算枠を確保(3)福島第１原発の地上タンクから漏れる汚染水の浄化に期限を設ける――の３点を求めた。
During the meeting with President Hirose, Prime Minister Abe demanded 1) decommissioning of Reactors 5 and 6; 2) allocating enough budget that can be used at the discretion of the plant management; 3) time limit on decontamination of contaminated water.
予算枠の確保を巡っては、東電は汚染水や廃炉の費用として計9600億円を引き当て済みだが、広瀬社長は「プラスして１兆円を確保していく」と応じた。汚染水の浄化期限に関しては「2014年度中に完了していく」と確約した。政府は汚染水対策での470億円の財政出動のうち150億円を浄化装置の増設に充てた。
As to the budgeting, TEPCO has already secured 960 billion yen [967 million US dollars] for countermeasures for contaminated water and decommissioning. President Hirose said his company will secure additional 1 trillion yen [1 billion US dollars, over 10 years]. As to the deadline for the treatment of contaminated water, he promised it would be complete by the end of the fiscal 2014 [that ends in March 2015]. The national government has allocated 15 billion yen [15 million US dollars] out of 47 billion yen [47 million US dollars] that the government will pay for the contaminated water countermeasures to build additional water treatment facility.
菅義偉官房長官は19日の記者会見で、廃炉要請に伴う東電支援スキームの見直しは「現時点で考えていない。現在のスキームの中で最善を尽くす」と述べた。原子力損害賠償支援機構を通じた東電の支援体制など現行の枠組みに沿って支援を進める考えを示した。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said during the press conference on September 19 that there was no plan to revise the support scheme for TEPCO due to the request for decommissioning [by the prime minister]. Suga said the government would do its best within the existing scheme, which includes Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Fund.
茂木敏充経済産業相は19日夜、都内で記者団に「まずは東電で資金を確保する努力をしていただきたい」と述べ、今回の件での追加支援は見送る考えを示した。
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi spoke to the press in Tokyo in the evening of September 19. He said, "We want TEPCO to make effort to secure the fund," indicating he is not going to allow additional monetary support this time.
The current support system via Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Fund is only for paying the victims of the nuclear accident, and no money goes from the fund to deal with the accident. All the cost of decommissioning Reactors 1, 2, 3, 4 is being borne by TEPCO alone.
By declaring the decommissioning of Reactors 5 and 6 at Fukushima I Nuke Plant, which are relatively new (operational since 1978 and 1979 respectively), TEPCO would have to immediately write them off on the asset side of the balance sheet, with the offsetting reduction in either the liabilities or shareholders' equity.
That would mean nothing to these politicians. While TEPCO somehow has to earn that money to deal with the accident and decommission, these politicians are fed by taxpayers' money. If Mr. Abe really thinks decommissioning the entire plant all at once will "accelerate the whole response to the accident", he's in a fantasy land.
An elite bureaucrat spokesman from now-abolished Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), which was under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said in a press conference in March 2011:
By declaring the decommissioning of Reactors 5 and 6 at Fukushima I Nuke Plant, which are relatively new (operational since 1978 and 1979 respectively), TEPCO would have to immediately write them off on the asset side of the balance sheet, with the offsetting reduction in either the liabilities or shareholders' equity.
That would mean nothing to these politicians. While TEPCO somehow has to earn that money to deal with the accident and decommission, these politicians are fed by taxpayers' money. If Mr. Abe really thinks decommissioning the entire plant all at once will "accelerate the whole response to the accident", he's in a fantasy land.
An elite bureaucrat spokesman from now-abolished Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), which was under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said in a press conference in March 2011:
(About the workers at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant not having enough food to eat, no blanket, no spare underwear) we feel sorry for the workers. But this nuclear accident, it is basically TEPCO's problem, not ours. So, no, we are not going to do anything about it as the government, like delivering necessities to the workers.
I was watching the press conference live. My jaw dropped. But judging by the reaction at that time among the ordinary Japanese in Japan, I was clearly alone in thinking this would be one of the rare times where the government could actually be useful.
Well, they couldn't even deliver decent food to the workers in March 2011. It's impossible for me to imagine they are capable of doing anything beyond food delivery, but they sure can talk.
Well, they couldn't even deliver decent food to the workers in March 2011. It's impossible for me to imagine they are capable of doing anything beyond food delivery, but they sure can talk.
Energy News......
NPR: How can Fukushima’s molten fuel be contained so it stops contaminating the planet? Nuclear Expert: There’s no way to get at molten fuel… I’ve not seen a solution to this (AUDIO)
Fukushima Daily .....
After discharge, Tepco found all β nuclides
density higher than safety limit outside of the
tank area dams
Posted by Mochizuki on September 19th, 2013 · No Comments
Following up this article..Tepco discharged 1,130 tones of “rainwater” from 7 tank areas [URL]
On 9/18/2013, Tepco announced they actually measured all β nuclides (including Strontium-90) from retained water outside of the tank area dams, and it was higher than the safety limit in 2 of 7 locations. They state they couldn’t find retained water in 1 of 7 locations.
On 9/16/2013, Tepco discharged the “rainwater” retained in 7 tank areas due to the Typhoon. About the safety of discharge, Tepco stated the all β nuclides density was lower than the safety limit (30,000 Bq/m3 as Strontium-90).
However after the discharge, Tepco announced all β nuclides density in retained water outside of the dams were higher than the safety limit on 9/16/2013. Tepco is stating it has nothing to do with the discharge, the collected water wasn’t affected by the discharge.
The highest reading was 59,000 Bq/m3, the second highest reading was 32,000 Bq/m3.
By this data, Tepco comments the discharged water was less contaminated than the background of Fukushima nuclear plant. However, if Tepco’s statement is correct, this means the background is already over the safety limit.
JP PM Abe requested Tepco to decommission
Fukushima reactor5 and 6
Posted by Mochizuki on September 19th, 2013 · No Comments
On 9/19/2013, Japanese Prime Minister Abe requested Tepco to decommission reactor5 and 6 in order to concentrate on decommissioning reactor1~4.
Tepco states they are going to decide what to do with reactor5 and 6 by the end of this year.
Abe also requested Tepco to set the deadline to treat all the contaminated water. Having this request, Tepco announced they plan to purify all the contaminated water by 2014 except for radioactive water Tritium.
Nuclear Regulation Authority “Reactor4
possibly had 2~3 strong explosions in 311″
Posted by Mochizuki on September 19th, 2013 · No Comments
On 8/30/2013, Nuclear Regulation Authority released their report about reactor4 investigation conducted from this July to August.
In this report, they concluded reactor4 experienced at least 2 strong explosions in 311.
According to their report, the ceiling and floor of S-W part of the 4th floor had a severe damage. Also, the floor of N-W part of the 3rd floor had a serious damage. The investigating team assumed there were 2 major explosion around these areas.
In addition to it, the 5th floor lost the walls on theS, E and W and the roof. There might have been another explosion there according to their report.
M5.8 hit Fukushima plant area
Posted by Mochizuki on September 19th, 2013 · No Comments
At 2:25 AM of 9/20/2013 (JST), M5.8 hit Fukushima nuclear plant area.
The epicenter was Hamadori area Fukushima. The depth was 20km. The maximum seismic intensity was 5+.
Japan Meteorological Research Institute
“60,000,000,000 Bq of Cs-137 and Sr-90 is
leaking to the open ocean everyday”
Posted by Mochizuki on September 19th, 2013 · No Comments
In IAEA session from 9/17~9/18/2013, researcher Aoyama from Japan Meteorological Research Institute reported 60,000,000,000 Bq of Cs-137 and Sr-90 is leaking to the open ocean every single day. (30,000,000,000 Bq of Cs-137 and 30,000,000,000 Bq of Sr-90)
The daily discharging rate has almost not been decreased since the beginning of 2012.
Related article..Tepco admitted leaked radiation is diluted outside of Fukushima plant port[URL]
Simply Info........
5.9 Shallow Quake Near Daiichi, May Have Challenged SFP Resistance
Today’s quake at Daiichi has been upgraded to a 5.9 04:54 20 September 2013 M5.9 quake strikes Fukushima, no reports of plant damage TOKYO, Sept. 20, Kyodo The initial data showed it close to the plant and shallow Magnitude: 5.3 Mercalli scale: 5 Date-Time [UTC]: 19 September, 2013 at 17:25:09 UTC Local Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 17:25 in the afternoon at epicenter Coordinate: 37° 4.296, 140° 38.970 Depth: 22.20 km (13.79 miles) Hypocentrum: Shallow depth Class: Moderate Region: Asia Country: Japan Location: 19.75 km (12.27 miles) – … Read entire article »
According to a new article by Reuters, TEPCO knew of the need to install a ground water bypass system back in May of 2011 yet chose to not undertake the project. The US NRC’s hydrology experts told TEPCO in May of 2011 that they should install a groundwater bypass type system uphill of the reactors. TEPCO never acted on this …Read entire article »
TEPCO Chose To Not Stop Water Leaks In 2011 Over Fears For Their Stock Price, Govt Knew
TEPCO has known about the massive groundwater intrusion and leaking at the site since at least May of 2011. The company chose to do nothing out of fear the high cost ($1 billion USD) would cause investment markets to consider the company “bankrupt”. Contaminated water has leaked out of the plant for the last 2.5 years, TEPCO only admitted this in July of this year. The government at the time allowed TEPCO to avoid clear admission … Read entire article »
South Korea To Keep Japan Seafood Ban
Japanese officials traveled to South Korea in an effort to get the country to change a new seafood ban put in place. The Japanese government provided South Korea with new radiation data about the waters off Fukushima. That data has not be made public. South Korea has decided that the ban will stand. It includes most of the north-east prefectures of Japan. It appears their concerns were well founded. Global Post reports that after the nuclear disaster seafood shipments from Miyagi to South Korea increased from 11 tons in 2011 to 1,844 tons in 2012. There was clearly an effort to dump suspect seafood on the South Korean market that may not have sold well in Japan … Read entire article »
171 Nuclear Refugees Sue TEPCO
171 people who fled to Osaka and Kyoto after the Fukushima Nuclear disaster are suing TEPCO to try to regain some of what they have lost. A total of 3811 people have filed suit against TEPCO in court in 11 district courts. Read more at JapanTimes … Read entire article »
Japan Govt. “Wants To Lower Dependence On Nuclear Power”
Not what anyone expected to hear out of the current LDP government in Japan. The current head of METI made this statement to the press that Japan should lower their dependence on nuclear power. This is an unusual statement considering the utterly pro-nuclear agenda of the current government. … Read entire article »
TEPCO Fails To Follow Regulations In Dumping Contaminated Typhoon Water To Pacific
TEPCO released to the sea, rainwater that had built up behind the concrete barrier around the contaminated water tanks at the plant. These areas have been of high concern as various tanks have been found to be leaking highly contaminated waste water. TEPCO released water they determined to be below the legal limit to dump into the sea. TEPCO apparently … Read entire article »
Good morning Fred,
ReplyDeleteNo taper huh, well not really a surprise. My theory is that they were just talking the markets into moving the way they wanted, ie: gold down. Yellen will probably keep up the taper talk while ushering in negative interest rates. I bet they can keep talking with no action for months before the markets call the bluff.
Damn, Colorado has been walloped and the polluted water isn't going to be easy to deal with. I guess they opt for the Japanese method of ignoring it.
Morning Kev ! I think what was surprising was the whole point of Fed transparency was giving the market participants an idea of what the Fed was going to do ( not setting up short to be sheared ) ! When the Fed is buying on a monthly basis 85 billion of treasuries and MBS , what it it say about the condition of the economy and the banks that 5 years after the financial crisis of 2008 , that they cannot even trim Fed buying by 10 billion a month ? Yellen wil do what Bernanke has done , perhaps more - what does the Fed do as the housing market rolls over again , what does the Fed do as jobs don't grow in the economy ? does 85 billion become 100 billion in fed purchases ? We are still cliff - diving , just from a higher point on the cliff.....
ReplyDeleteColorado exposed that inland drilling is not risk free - not if the streams , rivers nearby that can flood ( and appropriate protections have not been taken. ) Between sewage , fracking chemicals oil and gas products / by products , you have mucho land that has suffered major environmental damage !