In hopes of reviving Japan’s atomic energy industry, its Nuclear Agency just gave the go-ahead to restart two reactors at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant. But these are located in Satsumasendai, an earthquake and active volcano area.
Authorities claim the plants meet new standards put in place since the Fukushima disaster, but it appears pressure from the rising costs of gas and oil imports is rushing the country into reopening plants that may not be ready to withstand another natural disaster.
Although Chairman Tanaka says safety inspections are now more prevention-focused, protestors plan to voice clear opposition to reopening the Sendai reactors in the upcoming month of public consultation.
Of greatest concern is that an active Level 3 volcano, Sakurajima, is only about 30 miles from the Sendai plant. Another worry is that restarting a plant in such a high-risk zone will expedite the opening of five more similar plants.
Although there would be economic gain from reopening the Sendai plant, the enormous long-term risks posed by it‘s proximity to an active volcano, just don’t seem to justify the short-term benefits.
Ask Japan not to turn on nuclear reactors near an active volcano.
We, the undersigned, are concerned about the serious risks of Japan restarting a nuclear plant in an area so close to an active volcano.
Another concern is that restarting the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant would expedite the opening of five more similar plants.
It’s understandable that Japan would want to seek quick solutions to its rising energy costs, resulting from the 2011 disaster, because of the great strain it has caused on individual household budgets as well as the country as a whole.
Nevertheless, public support for nuclear energy has steeply declined since Fukushima, and a new political leader, Mikazuki, wants to break Japan’s dependence on nuclear energy altogether.
Working toward Mikazuki’s goal makes more sense that opening and restarting nuclear plants in areas like Satsumasendai, which could pose a threat to the entire planet.
We request that Japan rethink its plans to reopen the Sendai Plant.
Thanks for your time.
