「川内」優先審査 原発を再活用する第一歩に

The Yomiuri Shimbun March 15, 2014
Sendai reactor checks must be 1st step in ending nuclear power suspension
「川内」優先審査　原発を再活用する第一歩に（3月15日付・読売社説）

The Nuclear Regulation Authority has selected the Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture as priority targets for confirming their safety, a prerequisite for resuming operations. 　
　原子力規制委員会が、再稼働に向けて優先的に安全性を確認する原子力発電所として、九州電力川内原発１、２号機（鹿児島県）を選んだ。

This must be made a step toward ending the long-running suspension of nuclear power generation. 　
　原発の長期停止を脱する一歩としなければならない。

Currently, the NRA is screening the safety of 17 reactors at 10 nuclear plants. The Sendai plant is the first candidate likely to pass the screening, with legal procedures expected to be completed as early as this summer for resuming operations. 　
　規制委は、１０原発１７基の安全審査を進めている。川内原発は、その中で初の「合格」候補となった。今夏にも再稼働に向けた法的手続きが終わる見通しだ。

With all the nation’s 48 nuclear power reactors suspended in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, fuel costs for alternative thermal power generation have jumped, resulting in higher electricity charges. Some utilities are considering additional increases in charges.
　東日本大震災の影響で、国内の全４８基の原発が停止する中、代替の火力発電用燃料費が増加し、電気料金が上がった。再値上げを検討中の電力会社もある。

The seriousness of this situation, which is affecting industry and people’s livelihoods, should never be underestimated.
　産業や国民生活への影響が深刻であることを軽視すべきではない。

In July, the NRA compiled a new set of standards for regulating nuclear power plants that takes into consideration what happened during the outbreak of the nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant. The NRA originally estimated that safety screenings based on the standards would be “completed in a half-year or so.”
　規制委は昨年７月、東京電力福島第一原発事故を踏まえた原発の新規制基準を策定した。それによる安全審査は、「半年程度で終わる」との見通しを示していた。

But the NRA and utilities had been at odds for a while over the kinds of data necessary for the screenings and interpretations of the new standards, dimming prospects for completing the screenings any time soon.
　しかし、規制委と電力会社の間で、必要なデータの種類や、データの解釈などを巡って見解が食い違い、審査終了の見通しが立たない状況が続いていた。

New framework built To break the impasse, the NRA last month came up with a framework to set priorities in screening, a move that merits praise.
　規制委が先月、優先審査の仕組みを打ち出したのは、現状打開の観点から評価できる。

Under the framework, the NRA would deploy screening experts to plants on a priority basis and expedite compilation of a screening document equivalent to a pass certificate, if the scale of earthquakes and other scenarios studied by the utility are deemed appropriate. It may compile a draft of screening results as early as next month.
　想定すべき地震の規模などで電力会社の検討内容が適切と判断した原発については、優先的に審査官を配置し、「合格証」に相当する審査書作りを急ぐ。早ければ来月にも審査書案をまとめる。

It is hoped that the NRA and Kyushu Electric will effectively proceed with screening work.
　規制委と九電は、効率的に審査を進めてもらいたい。

What is worrying is that the NRA is planning to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings when the draft is compiled.
　懸念されるのは、規制委が、審査書案の段階で意

A considerable number of officials will be needed to deal with the vast number of opinions expressed, which could lead to insufficient staff for the screening work at the Sendai plant. It will inevitably have adverse implications on how screening of other reactors will proceed.
　膨大な意見への対応に相応の人員を割くことになり、肝心の川内原発の審査が手薄にならないか。川内原発以外の原発の審査にも、しわ寄せが出るだろう。

Asking for outside opinion on any draft that the NRA itself compiles from a scientific perspective will harm the NRA’s credibility.
　そもそも、自らが科学的観点からまとめた審査書案に、改めて外部の意見を求めるのは、規制委の信頼を損なうものだ。

The NRA’s stance has invited criticism among many members of the Liberal Democratic Party. “It’s akin to a judge soliciting opinions on a draft document giving his or her ruling” and “It’s trying to skirt responsibility for making a decision” are some of the skeptical comments made by members of the LDP project team discussing nuclear regulation issues.
　規制委の姿勢に対しては、自民党内にも批判が多い。党原子力規制プロジェクトチームからは、「裁判官が判決文の案に意見を募集するようなもの」「判断の

The NRA should cancel its plans to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings.
　規制委は、意見公募、公聴会の実施を取りやめるべきだ。

Many residents near the Sendai plant want to see it reactivated. Municipalities in the vicinity of the plant are making progress in compiling evacuation plans. The government and Kyushu Electric should make their utmost efforts to persuade local residents to accept how important restarting the plant is.
　川内原発の地元では再稼働を期待する声が多い。周辺自治体では避難計画の策定も進んでいる。政府は、九電とともに再稼働の重要性について、丁寧に理解を得ていかねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2014)
（2014年3月15日01時33分 読売新聞）