As a referendum on the future of the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant (LNPP), which would be the nation's fourth, is debated during a provisional session of the Legislature, the Executive Yuan today stated that it will respect the Legislature's decisions and again stressed the government's obligation to guarantee nuclear safety.
The government has always been steadfast in its position that nuclear power will only be produced if nuclear safety is guaranteed. Hence, the administration promises it will review in detail the questions raised about the safety of the LNPP by various sectors over the years and ensure all possible issues with the plant are resolved.
In response to requests for the release of relevant safety check results prior to the referendum, the Executive Yuan stated that it has already tasked the Ministry of Economic Affairs with disclosing this data. Furthermore, it has invited both individual experts and groups of specialists from abroad to cooperate in inspections of the plant, and their findings will be presented to the public. Citizens will be supplied with ample communication channels and information on this issue, the government assured.
As mandated by law, all nuclear power plants are under the supervision of the Atomic Energy Council (AEC), the Executive Yuan pointed out. If the LNPP falls short in even a single item of the AEC's inspection, the installation of fuel rods at the facility will not be permitted, making the plant unable to begin commercial operation.
In order to provide a satisfactory resolution to the longstanding debate over the LNPP, the Executive Yuan is willing to submit the future of the facility to a referendum. It hopes that opinions both for and against abandoning the plant are expressed and debated. To help citizens make their decision and guarantee transparency, more information on LNPP safety procedures, the current limits on renewable energy supplies and the energy policies of other countries are being released.