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Nuclear Energy Institute Report on Japan’s Nuclear Reactors, September 7, 2011


Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–September 7, 2011.  

TEPCO to Build Iron Wall to Contain Radioactive Water

Plant Status

  • Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to build an “iron wall” between the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility and the ocean to keep radioactive water out of the sea. Thousands of 24-yard-long iron pipes will be sunk into the earth, extending to below the sea bed, to create a wall around the water intakes for reactors 1-4. Construction of the 875-yard wall is expected to begin by the end of the year and be complete in about two years.

Industry/Regulatory/Political Issues

  • The Japan Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has been conducting experiments since May on reducing radiation levels in rice fields near Fukushima Daiichi. In one test, workers have scraped contaminated topsoil from dry paddies. In another, soil has been stirred in water-filled paddies and then removed. Both methods have reduced radiation levels to below government safety levels.

Media Highlights

  • Tokyo Electric Power Co. will put $30 billion into a new entity established to help the utility compensate individuals and businesses claiming damages caused by the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the Japan Economic Newswire reported. The fund also will receive $91 million from the government and $91 million from 11 other utility companies.
  • Japanese citizens are debating the country’s energy future following the accident at Fukushima Daiichi. It is a dilemma for a country that lacks natural resources and has relied heavily on nuclear energy, NPR reports.

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Soruce: nei.org


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