Regarding the method of assessing the impact of an earthquake whose epicenter cannot be identified in advance because the fault does not appear on the surface of the earth, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has solicited opinions from the general public about the newly revised method. He also expressed his intention to introduce it into the regulation in March.
In the examination to confirm the seismic resistance of the nuclear power plant, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has evaluated the active faults near the site, and also for earthquakes where the faults do not appear on the surface of the earth and the epicenter cannot be identified. We have evaluated it with reference to the data of the above, but accuracy has been an issue.
For this reason, the Regulatory Commission has decided to review the evaluation method, such as increasing the number of past earthquakes to be referred to to around 90, which is about five times as much as before, and to start public comment to solicit opinions from the general public on the 21st. It was.
Based on the results of public comments, the Regulatory Commission intends to officially introduce a new evaluation method into the regulation of nuclear energy in March.
Once introduced into the regulations, electric power companies will need to once again assume the shaking of an earthquake whose epicenter cannot be identified, check whether there are any problems with the safety of the facility, and pass the examination of the regulatory committee.
In some cases, additional work may be required of the power company.