After the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in alliance with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) imposed drastic budget cuts to bully the public, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) announced they also have plans to amend Article 23 of the Basic Environment Act (環境基本法), changing the goal of a “non-nuclear homeland” to a “carbon-free homeland.”
To develop nuclear energy, they also plan to amend Article 6 of the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act (核子反應器設施管制法) by extending the operational lifespan of nuclear reactor facilities from 40 years to 60 years.
Taiwanese are already familiar with the goals of net zero emissions and low-carbon sustainability, but who knew that a so-called “carbon-free homeland” supposedly aligns with the global development trends of the 21st century? The reality is that most activities in everyday lives rely on carbon emissions. Is the KMT’s “carbon-free homeland” based on the expectation that everyone would just stop breathing? Such a lofty objective truly transcends the ordinary imagination.
The No. 2 reactor at the Ma-anshan (馬鞍山) Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County is to be decommissioned on May 17, as its operating license reaches the 40-year limit. That would mark the beginning of a new nuclear-free era for Taiwan.
The KMT — with its “carbon-free homeland” — seeks to prevent it. This move shows blatant disregard for the risks posed by aging nuclear reactors, nuclear safety concerns and the challenges that come with disposing of nuclear waste.
To put it bluntly, the KMT’s so-called “carbon-free homeland” is just a gimmick to cover up their true intentions to support and restore nuclear power.
Shieh Jyh-cherng is a retired National Taiwan University professor.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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