News
Publish date: August 6, 2007
News
The operators of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power station – the largest nuclear power station in the world in terms of electrical output – have admitted there were leakages of radioactive material.
But the Tokyo Electric Power Company, which runs the plant, says there is no danger to the public.
The visit follows a request by the government of Japan’s central Nigita region, where Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is situated. Tokyo initially said no international inspection was necessary and refused to approach the IAEA.
Niigata officials said bringing in outside experts would help to damp down rumours that the radiation leaks had been more serious than admitted.
Unease arose when the leaks were found to have been much bigger than first estimated.
The power company has said getting the plant running again could take some time because contaminated water needs to be cleaned up first and dozens of other problems need to be fixed.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in mid-July and caused more than 50 malfunctions at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant.
The quake killed 10 people and injured hundreds.
An accident aboard numerous Volgoneft oil tankers in the Kerch in mid December clearly show what can happen to aged ships when they are operated in bad weather—and when economic and military objectives are prioritized over the lives of crews and environmental safety.
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
A visit last week by Vladimir Putin and a Kremlin entourage to Astana, Kazakhstan sought in part to put Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, on good footing with local officials.