TEPCO admits that it could have done more

Deutsche Welle, 12 October 2012

The operator of Japan's Fukushima plant has admitted downplaying the facility's disaster vulnerability, fearing political, financial and reputational costs. TEPCO faces massive financial claims.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been criticized for trying to dodge its responsibility for the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. A report has found that the company was aware that its disaster defenses were insufficient before Japan's 2011 tsunami smashed into the Fukushima plant. TEPCO produced the report after convening a panel of outside experts to review its nuclear programs.

"There was a latent fear that plant shutdown would be required until severe accident measures were put in place," TEPCO announced in the report, entitled "Fundamental Policy for the Reform of TEPCO Nuclear Power Organization."

"There was concern that if new severe accident measures were implemented, it could spread concern in the siting community that there is a problem with the safety of current plants," the report found. The report also states that TEPCO executives feared that any action might "add momentum to anti-nuclear movements."

The admission represents a turnaround from previous claims that Japan's 2011 tsunami could not have been prepared for. Investigation panels set up by the government and legislature both found that TEPCO had been aware of potential risks.

On March 11, 2011, the tsunami, set off by an earthquake, crippled the Fukushima plant's cooling systems and sent reactors into meltdown. Radioactive material contaminated farmland and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, many of whom are still living in temporary accommodation. Some may never be allowed to return.

The cleanup and demolition of the reactors are expected to take decades.

mkg/msh (AFP, AP)

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"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much….”