Operator files for approval of Fukushima plant water release
TEPCO plans to release massive amounts of treated but still
radioactive water into the ocean about 1 kilometer from the plant.
The operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant said
Tuesday it has applied for approval from safety authorities to construct an
undersea tunnel and other facilities needed for the planned release of large
amounts of treated radioactive water into the sea.
The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, said it
hopes to obtain approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority to begin
constructing the facilities in June and start releasing the water in April
2023.
The approval would cover the basic plan and design of the
undersea tunnel, equipment to dilute the water with seawater and other
necessary materials.
TEPCO plans to release massive amounts of treated but still
radioactive water into the ocean about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the plant
to ensure safety and minimize the impact on local fishing and the environment.
The contaminated water is to be diluted with large amounts
of seawater to reduce the concentration of radioactive materials below
allowable limits.
About 1,000 storage tanks at the plant currently filled with
radioactive water need to be removed to make room for facilities necessary for
the plant’s decommissioning, TEPCO says
Under the plan TEPCO submitted to the nuclear authority, the
water will be released about 12 meters (40 feet) below the ocean’s surface.
Increasing amounts of radioactive water have been stored at
the Fukushima Daiichi plant since 2011 when a massive earthquake and tsunami
damaged three reactors and their cooling water became contaminated and began
leaking. The plant says the storage tanks currently hold about 1.29 million
tons of water and will reach their capacity of 1.37 million tons by early 2023.
The government in April approved the decision to start
discharging the water into the Pacific Ocean under safety standards set by
regulators, calling it the most realistic option. The idea has been fiercely
opposed by fishermen, residents and neighboring countries including China and
South Korea.
Japan has requested assistance from the International Atomic
Energy Agency to ensure the discharge meets international safety standards and
to gain the understanding of the international community.
The release, with an annual cap on radioactive materials,
will continue for about 30 years, or until the plant’s decommissioning ends,
TEPCO has said.
Government and TEPCO officials say tritium, which is not
harmful in small amounts, cannot be removed from the water, but all other
isotopes selected for treatment can be reduced to safe levels before release.
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