Dr. Dale Klein attended the meeting of Contaminated Water and Tank Countermeasures Headquarters sponsored by TEPCO on September 13, 2013

October 15, 2013

（Mr. Hirose）: I sincerely apologize for the challenges we have created with the contaminated water and tank issue even after two and half years after the accident. Recently, I led the establishment of the Contaminated Water and Tank Countermeasure Headquarters as the chairperson. The contaminated water issue is recognized as a significant management issue, and company-wide efforts will be made to address this issue. There are three main areas that the Contaminated Water and Tank Countermeasure Headquarters will be engaged in. First is the issue with the tanks with a focus on the control and management of tanks. The second is the overall problem of the source of contamination and groundwater for the contaminated water issue. The relationship between the contamination source and groundwater will be clarified and the necessary measures will be fully implemented. The third is regarding the investment of internal resources and the utilization of external expert knowledge. I anticipate that the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee will also address the issues of contaminated water and tanks as a topic as well. We will also strive to resolve this issue with the input of Mr. Lake Barrett, who visited Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station yesterday.

（Dr. Klein）: I am looking forward to hearing about the water issue today to get an update. As you know, the reform committee is concerned about the water management issue. I think the good news is the spent fuel pool and the reactor cores are being cooled in safety. So as a former regulator, I think it’s very good for the public to understand that the spent fuel and the reactor cores are well maintained. That being said, the water issue is a serious issue. I am glad that Lake Barrett is here today. Lake Barrett was very instrumental in the Three Mile Island activities, and so we are looking forward to his comments as well.

（Lake Barrett）: First of all I would like to say thank you and thank your staff for very good briefings two days ago and very thorough visit to the site yesterday. I was very impressed with the competence and the capability of all those involved. Their hard work and their diligence on dealing with a very complex matter. Based on my review of the situation there, first of all I am pleased to report that the efforts being taken by the team is containing the significant amounts of radioactivity, and there is really no reason for the public or anyone to be concerned for a public health and safety situation about the water at Fukushima Daiichi. I was pleased to see better integration between the design staffs and the operating staffs to address past issues. And to provide a more comprehensive, integrated water management program for the future. I would recommend efforts not only be for the technical control of the water but also to improve your methods of communicating to the world the situation that is actually there at the site. I believe the dedication of the TEPCO team and the Japanese government in assisting and the international support that is there will provide a much improved water management system in the future, and I look forward in seeing the progress later.