Nuclear Plants Operating on Earthquake Faults in Japan Magically Immune from ALL Harm

Utilities say 2 nuke plants can withstand quakes triggered by multiple active faults August 29 Mainichi http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120829p2a00m0na006000c.html

[Excerpted] Shikoku Electric Power Co. and Hokuriku Electric Power Co. told the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) on Aug. 28 that the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in Ehime Prefecture and the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in Ishikawa Prefecture can withstand earthquakes triggered by multiple active faults moving closely together.

The two power companies reported to a NISA expert panel that nuclear reactors and other key facilities at the two nuclear power stations would have no safety problems even if they are struck by earthquakes triggered by multiple active faults moving together. There was no objection to their arguments at the meeting, and therefore NISA is expected to endorse the reports.

At the expert panel meeting, Chugoku Electric Power Co. and Hokkaido Electric Power Co. also reported that the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant in Shimane Prefecture and the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant in Hokkaido would have "no problems" if they were struck by earthquakes under similar conditions. NISA is set to discuss whether their reports are credible.

[end excerpt]

Majia here: Apparently TEPCO is now evaluating potential impact of active faults on the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture.

Blogger Ex-SKF reported on this yesterday:

NISA's New Safety Standard May Allow Nuclear Reactors on Top of Active Faults to Continue Operation http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2012/08/nisas-new-safety-standard-may-allow.html
 

[Excerpted] Totally, absolutely in line with Prime Minister Noda's intention of seeking the "fourth way" for the future energy policy on reliance on nuclear power, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (which is still the one and only regulatory agency over the nuclear industry in Japan) is now considering installing a new safety standard:

You can continue to operate a nuclear reactor even if the reactor happens to sit on top of an active fault, as long as the expected size of dislocation is small enough.

Majia here: I think a good antidote to this upsetting development is the following polemic:

The Nuclear Mafia Derails Democracy in Japan August 28, 2012
http://theintelhub.com/2012/08/28/the-nuclear-mafia-derails-democracy-in-japan/