More rodent-related problems and the possibility of a fall restart for idled reactors were among the developments of note this week at Fukushima Daiichi.
Recent news related to the Tokyo Electric Power Co. plant blacked out following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami included …
Rodents Blamed for SFP Cooling Suspension, Again
TEPCO suspended spent fuel cooling at unit 2 for about four hours Tuesday to remove dead rodents from an electrical system, according to a TEPCO release. A patrolling worker noticed the dead animals near the terminal of an outdoor transformer. It was not damaged and a barrier was installed to prevent more wildlife from getting in. Rats have been a persistent problem in recent weeks, at one point creating an electrical fault that knocked out several SFP cooling systems for more than a day.
Industry Minister: Fall Reactor Restart Possible
Japan's Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said in a recent TV interview that the schedule for implementing new safety regulations could allow for reactor restarts this fall, the Asahi Shimbun reported. All but two of the country's reactors are offline awaiting new safety regulations and equipment upgrade requirements being drafted by the country's new Nuclear Regulation Authority. They are scheduled to be complete July 18. Motegi is the first Japanese cabinet member to suggest when idled reactors might be restarted.
Workers Lacked Dosimeters During Water Transfer
Workers assigned to move water from leaking underground tanks lacked proper dosimeters, the Asahi reported Saturday. TEPCO said 14 contractors lacked dosimeters measuring beta rays from April 6 to April 8 before the utility and government labor officials were notified.