I need to speak to you, not as a reporter, but in my former capacity as lead investigator in several government nuclear plant fraud and racketeering investigations.
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Here are the facts about Tokyo Electric and the industry you haven't heard on the news. The failure of emergency systems at Japan's nuclear plants comes as no surprise to those of us who have worked in the field.
Nuclear plants the world over must be certified for what is called SQ or seismic qualification. That is, the owners swear that all components are designed for the maximum conceivable shaking event, be it from an earthquake or an exploding Christmas card from al-Qaida.
The most inexpensive way to meet your SQ is to lie. The industry does it all the time.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/102293