Local News

Kyushu Electric Power released its operating guidelines for FY 2012, which include a policy to immediately cut 120 billion yen from its budget for capital investment, repair, and other operations due to deteriorating profitability from the shutdown of its nuclear power plants. The utility had already suspended plans for an expansion of one nuclear plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, but at a news conference insisted the expansion should proceed because nuclear power is essential. In response to a government proposal to limit plant operation to 40 years, the company said that one plant in Saga Prefecture, which has been online for 36 years, could be operated for 60 years in all.