At an Executive Yuan press conference today, Spokesperson Cheng Li-wun unveiled a second official document explaining the government's stance on nuclear power safety issues. It is written in question and answer format, and it answers frequently asked questions by Taiwanese citizens about this issue of great public concern.
"This Q&A document provides comprehensive and objective statistics to enable the public to have a better understanding of nuclear power issues," Cheng said. "We hope that all who are concerned about Taiwan's nuclear power and policy will read it."
The document was published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Cheng pointed out that the document contains many statistics, which come not from Taiwan Power Co. but rather from expert analysis and the World Nuclear Association's data, to offer citizens an objective and multifaceted perspective on nuclear power issues.
Nuclear power issues are closely related to national competitiveness, energy security and public safety, Cheng said. She called on citizens to respect professionals' opinions and compassionately and rationally decide on the future of Taiwan's nuclear power industry.
"The government pledges to continue providing transparent information on this issue so that consensus may be reached democratically during the referendum," she stated.
Cheng also said that "when assessing nuclear power issues, we should be mindful of Taiwan's unique energy supply situation. Over 98 percent of our energy has to be imported, and as an island running on an independent electrical system, Taiwan has to supply its power entirely on its own."
"The social consensus that Taiwan should be nuclear-free is also a goal of the government. Some civic groups have demanded an immediate halt to the use of nuclear energy, but the government prefers to gradually phase it out. To ultimately achieve a non-nuclear homeland in Taiwan is a common goal for all; we only differ on the proposed processes and ways to get there.
"In pursuing this goal, however, the questions of how to keep the energy supply steady, protect lives and fulfill Taiwan's carbon reduction promise to the international community must also be comprehensively considered, as these are all closely related to environmental protection, economic growth and the safety of the citizenry. We hope the public understands the government's reasons for favoring gradual reduction of nuclear power."
Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Francis Liang, who also attended the press conference, said that government energy policy is ensuring nuclear power safety, steadily diminishing reliance on nuclear energy, developing green energy and creating a low-carbon environment to ultimately achieve a non-nuclear homeland under the premises of not enforcing electricity rationing, maintaining electricity prices at a reasonable level and fulfilling Taiwan's promise to the international community that it will meet its carbon reduction quota.
The MOEA said the new brochure details the government's energy policy and positions on nuclear power safety and the referendum on the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant. It also touches on issues of public concern like the government's policy of steadily phasing out nuclear power, the impact of stopping the construction of the plant on the national economy and the price of electricity, the viability of renewable energy resources as a replacement for the plant, the plant's safety and nuclear waste disposal.
This Q&A booklet provides comprehensive answers and essential information, the MOEA says.