So, let's see. So far these plants have endured an earthquake 10 times what they were designed for (8.9 Richter earthquake. Design was for 7.9. Modulo distance/ground transmission from epicenter.), a 23 foot tsunami that took out backup generators and the switchyard taking out all but battery power, failures of the RCIC backup cooling system, and 2 massive hydrogen explosions that took out the buildings around the containments.
And thus far no significant release of radioactivity.
How many people do you need to suffer from radiation exposure before YOU call it significant?
And we've got people saying the plants are fragile and unsafe?
Look at the whole story. It started with earthquake and tsunami, but now it's just a series of technical defects and human inability. All kinds of valves and gauges have been reported failing to the point where they have seemingly no idea whether block 2 was flooded or not. Spare generators were brought but couldn't be hooked up. While 5 out of 6 backup coolant pumps were shut down, the sixth ran out of fuel. Sea water reservoirs ran dry.
Folks, this is the nuclear industry working for you in front of everyone and I don't like what I see here one bit.
Because it might have been cheaper to cut some corners with existing equipment than build a new reactor every time some scientist comes along with the next great thing? It might have been more profitable to do things the way they have been done, and when the sh*t hits the fan the nuclear industry can still count on their (highly moderated) forum posters to deny any problem.
This may also be a reason why some folks here don't trust the nuclear industry too much
They were planning to build two new reactors onsite, # 7 and #8. They'll probably end up with new ABWRs to replace the old clunkers. Note that a single ABWR outputs as much power as three BWR-3s or two BWR-4s so yanking three 40 year old dinosaurs does not necessarily mean they need to build three new ABWRs to take their place... My guess is they'll get one.
I admire your optimism and enthusiasm for nuclear power, but I seriously doubt they'll build anything nuclear near Fukushima. Ever. Again. Having experienced two nuclear bombs with six digit casualties the Japanese know exactly what exposure to excessive radiation means. Despite all the claims of the pro nuclear lobby, the plant operators in Fukushima do not have this under control at all.
I'm hardly on their board of directors but most likely instead of adding 2 new ABWRs they'll probably simultaneously build the currently planned two, decon the old units 1 / 2 / 3 and build a nice new ABWR on top of the old site of 1 / 2 / 3.
Call yourself lucky that you are not on their board as the whole disaster unfolds before everybody's eyes. This is a story which started with an earthquake and a tsunami which then turned into a long drawn story of inability and technical failure. I read "backup generators couldn't be connected" and "pressure gauge malfunction" and "level gauge most likely off but nobody knows for sure" and "pumps which were supposed to cool the core failed". Anyone telling me that this is under control must be completely delusional at this point. Let's just hope this gets resolved before anything really nasty happens at the (by now) three molten reactor cores.
"It says he made us all to be just like him. So if we're dumb, then god is dumb, and maybe even a little ugly on the side." -- Frank Zappa
