Japanese Nuclear power plant firm says new plants OK for environment

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Nuclear power plant firm says new plants OK for environment

FUKUI, Japan, Jan. 16 (Kyodo) - Japan Atomic Power Company Co. on 
Tuesday submitted preliminary environment impact assessment reports 
stating that two nuclear reactors it will build in Fukui Prefecture 
in central Japan on the Sea of Japan coast will have minimal impact 
on the local environment, company officials said. 

The preparatory reports, submitted by the nuclear power plant 
operator to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and the 
prefectural government, will be publicized for a month from 
Wednesday, they said. 

A public meeting will be held Jan. 25 to explain the reports' 
findings to residents of the city of Tsuruga in the prefecture, where 
what will be among the largest reactors in the world in terms of 
output are to be built, the official said. 

A formal environment impact assessment report will be drawn up taking 
into account the views expressed by local residents, they said. 

The preparatory report said the company has decided to reduce the 
area of reclaimed land it intends to use for the reactors from 
250,000 square meters to 200,000 sq. meters in order to leave intact 
a number of scenic coastal spots. 

The flora and fauna of surrounding areas are not likely to be 
affected seriously by construction of the reactors, the report said. 

The officials said the construction plans were drawn up on the basis 
of recommendations made by the central and prefectural government 
about avoiding environmental damage. 

The company is planning to build two 1,538,000-kilowatt pressurized 
water reactors -- the largest of their kind in Japan -- at a cost of 
830 billion yen. 

The reactors are scheduled to begin operating in fiscal 2009 and 
fiscal 2010, respectively, the officials said. 

Japan Atomic Power Co. is owned by nine major Japanese electric power 
companies. 

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Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
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Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
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