In the face of a mass recall movement, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) told a Central Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday that the party would prioritize amending Article 23 of the Basic Environment Act (環境基本法) — changing its stated goal of achieving a “non-nuclear homeland” to a “carbon-free homeland” — during this legislative session.
He also said the KMT would propose an amendment to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act (核子反應器設施管制法) that would change the validity of an operating license from 40 years to 60 years.
However, the KMT’s wish is a political fantasy. Although there have undoubtedly been advancements in nuclear power technology, the use of nuclear fusion — a process where two atomic nuclei are combined — for power generation is still under development and has yet to be commercialized.
On the other hand, nuclear fission — the technique commonly used in nuclear power plants that involves breaking atomic bonds to release energy — causes major issues, because the high-level nuclear waste it generates is extremely difficult to handle and dispose of.
The “go nuclear to go green” policy that the KMT once promoted is just a political trick. Could it be that it is planning the same stunt all over again? Continuing to use nuclear power to achieve the goal of a “carbon-free homeland” without using materials such as coal, oil or natural gas is impossible.
The legislature’s review of the central government budget was conducted irrationally and unscientifically. Witnessing this deeply pained the public, sparking the recall wave efforts.
The recall movement is a reflection and expression of public opinion. The public has no desire to see political parties pushing deceptive policies with meaningless slogans — Taiwanese are wise, and their eyes sharp.
The shaping and promotion of public policies require political consciousness and wisdom, and should always be subject to public scrutiny. Changing the goal of a “non-nuclear homeland” to a “carbon-free homeland” is simply a political fantasy.
Chen Yi-nan is an arbitrator.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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