Japanese Nuke Plants To Add Safety Measures

Operator of damaged nuclear plant is installing rooftop vents and taking other safety measures at two more nuclear plants to prevent another crisis.

TOKYO (AP) -- The operator of the tsunami-damaged nuclear plant is installing rooftop vents and taking other safety measures at two more nuclear plants to prevent a crisis in case of another severe accident.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Tuesday it will add a rooftop vent for seven reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in north-central Japan to prevent hydrogen explosions like what occurred at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant in mid-March.

While those measures are taken, TEPCO will tentatively store equipment to cut a hole in roofs at Kashiwazaki and the Fukushima Dai-ni plant and take other safety steps at both sites.

The Fukushima Dai-ichi plant had several hydrogen explosions after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The explosions had not been anticipated and spewed radiation into the environment.

More in Global