"Japan court rejects startup of 2 nuclear reactors" by Mari Yamaguchi | Associated Press May 22, 2014
TOKYO — A court Wednesday refused to let two nuclear reactors restart operations in western Japan, saying their risk assessment is too optimistic and safety measures insufficient despite lessons from the Fukushima disaster.
The denial by the district court in Japan’s nuclear hub of Fukui is the first since the crisis and comes as some Japanese reactors are in the final stages of safety screening before a restart. Plaintiffs and their antinuclear supporters say the court ruling could sway local acceptance.
Antinuclear sentiment and the public’s distrust toward utility operators and authorities have persisted since the 2011 meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which caused more than 100,000 people to leave homes nearby due to radiation.
That's what happens when you lie to people.
All 50 workable reactors have been idle for repairs or safety checks since then, except for the two Ohi reactors, No. 3 and No. 4, which temporarily resumed operation in 2012-13 as an exception to ease a summertime power crunch. Eighteen of the 50 reactors have applied for safety checks to qualify for a restart.
Nearly 200 people who live near the Ohi plant sued its operator in November 2012, and the court ordered it not to restart the reactors. Kansai Electric Power Co. said it will appeal Wednesday’s ruling. Technically, it can operate the reactors if they pass the safety standard while the case is pending.
Judge Hideaki Higuchi said the quake estimates for the reactors are too optimistic and the emergency safety measures and backups to secure the key cooling systems remain insufficient. The triple meltdowns at Fukushima were caused by the failures of the reactors’ cooling systems after external power and backup generators were destroyed by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.
Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the ruling doesn’t affect ongoing safety checks.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government stands by its policy to start up all reactors that cleared the regulatory standards.
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You can decide for yourself whether I should shut down the Globe's coverage of Japan or Fukushima, readers.
