Press Releases(Archive)
FY2012 - FY2003

Application for Exclusive River Water Use at Shinanogawa Power Plant

East Japan Railway Company

April 2, 2010

Today, April 2, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) applied to the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for exclusive river water use at the Shinanogawa Power Plant (a collective name for the Senju, Ojiya and Shin–Ojiya power plants) under Article 23 of the River Law.


On March 10, 2009, the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau issued an order revoking authorization for exclusive use of river water, leading the station to halt water intakes. Subsequently, JR East has filed the following, besides taking other actions:


  Report on Documents, etc., Relating to Structures Newly Built or Remodeled Without Permission
     
  Report on Measures to Prevent Recurrence of Improper Water Intakes at Shinanogawa Power Plant

In addition, we were able to receive agreements from all concerned river users.


Hereafter, assuming the plant gains authorization to generate electricity, JR East will work sincerely to comply with the law, strictly control river flows, intake volumes and so on, and resume electric power generation at an early date, while in addition harmonizing operations with the river environment and coexisting with the local community and all concerned.


JR East is extremely thankful for the understanding and cooperation of all concerned.



Key content from authorization application

     
  The plant would intake a maximum of 316.96 m³/s from the portion of river flow exceeding 40.00 m³/s at Miyanaka Dam.
     
  The period would be five years from the day authorization is granted.
     
  The plant would conduct test releases of water flows to attempt to harmonize intakes for electric power generation with the river environment and would take test results into account when applying to renew authorization.
     
     

(Reference)

Overview of Events


2009.2.13 : Notice of administrative order from Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
     
2009.2.16·18 : Visit to concerned municipalities to deliver apologies (President Seino)
     
2009.3.10 : Order received from Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; water intakes stopped at Shinanogawa Power Plant
     
2009.3.11 : Discipline of personnel
     
2009.4.1 : Establishment of Shinanogawa Power Station Improvement Department
  : Establishment of Shinanogawa Power Station Improvement Office in Ojiya City and Nagaoka City
  : Establishment of Energy Management Center
     
2009.6.5 : Establishment of Shinanogawa Power Station Improvement Office, Tokamachi Office
     
2009.6.11 : "Report of Results of Explanation of Improper Incidents to Niigata Prefecture, Riverside Municipalities and Concerned River Users"
    (→Hokuriku Region Planning Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
     
2009.6.18 : Letters sent to people of Tokamachi City, Ojiya City and Kawaguchi Town (Apologies and explanations from President Seino)
     
2009.10.27 : "Report on Documents, etc. Relating to Structures Newly Built or Remodeled Without Permission"
    (→Hokuriku Region Planning Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
     
2009.11.25·26 : Apologies and explanations given to people of Tokamachi City, Ojiya City and Kawaguchi Town (President Seino)
     
2010.2.10 : "Report on Measures to Prevent Recurrence of Improper Water Intakes at Shinanogawa Power Plant"
    (→Hokuriku Region Planning Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
     
2010.3.9 : Deadline extended to apply for exclusive river water use to Hokuriku Region Planning Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
     
2010.4.2 : Apply for exclusive river water use to Hokuriku Region Planning Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism


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