Premier Jiang Yi-huah today attended Commonwealth Publishing Group's book launch press conference for A Spectrum of Energies: Reflections on Energy, Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety in the Wake of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident. He praised the author, Professor Way Kuo, President of the City University of Hong Kong, saying he has provided a profound and objective investigation into the issues surrounding nuclear power. "Reasonable voices like this are exactly what our society needs," Jiang said.
Jiang also expressed appreciation for Professor Kuo's proficiency in explaining the complex nuclear energy issue in simple and humorous language, using layman's terms to describe global nuclear energy trends and compare Taiwan's development in this area with that of other nations.
Mentioning his recent multi-day tour of power plants with President Ma Ying-jeou, the premier said each source of energy has its own strengths and limitations, and several power sources should be balanced to ensure a stable and diverse supply, reasonable prices and a clean environment.
"Taiwan's energy supply must be stable; otherwise, homes and industries will be affected," Jiang pointed out. "We cannot rely on only one power source. We must develop a diversity of resources so we are never left helpless by a shortage."
The premier also explained his concept of a reasonable energy price as one that balances society's needs and environmental conservation. A price that is too high would demand too much of families and industries and could even cause citizens to default on electricity payments or force businesses to move abroad, while a price that is too low would induce excessive reliance on natural resources and discourage conservation, which would in turn harm the environment, he said.
Energy policy should emphasize clean and green choices, Jiang said. "Power users should do what they can to not put an additional burden on the environment. Likewise, while ensuring energy stability, the government should also focus on the safety and environmental impact of each power source. No matter how many resources we develop, we must make sure of their safety and cleanliness," he emphasized.