The issue of nuclear energy has nothing to do with Taiwan-U.S. relations, nor has the government intentionally enabled any company to benefit from its nuclear policy, the Executive Yuan announced today in response to a local news article claiming halting nuclear energy production would impact Taipei-Washington ties.
"Whether nuclear energy should be discontinued is closely related with citizens' future quality of life, industrial development and environmental sustainability," Executive Yuan officials indicated. "Whether the subject is nuclear safety, phasing out nuclear power or national energy policy, the Taiwan-U.S. relationship has never played an important role in discussions about the future of the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant, which would be the nation's fourth. The government is accountable to its people and must assure them."
Electricity supply, power generation cost and impact on the environment and climate are among the factors that will determine the future of nuclear energy, the Executive Yuan noted, emphasizing that these are serious questions for every country and they go well beyond the interests of particular firms.
Refuting a news report claiming that Taiwan would pay tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. annually for fuel rods and consultancy on the Longmen plant, the Executive Yuan explained that fuel purchased from the U.S. to sustain the operation of the three existing nuclear power plants costs a mere NT$2.2 billion (US$74 million) each year, and if the fourth plant went into operation, Taiwan would only pay NT$1 billion (US$33 million) more to fuel it.
With respect to consultancy, the Executive Yuan added that the construction and maintenance of a nuclear power plant requires expertise, and consultants for the Longmen plant include professionals from Japan and Taiwan itself as well as the U.S. The U.S.-based General Electric Co. receives about NT$1 billion (US$33 million) per year as a consultant for the design and manufacturing of the fourth plant's nuclear reactors, officials stated.
The Executive Yuan reiterated that issues regarding the Longmen plant involve professional knowledge and must be addressed through sufficient and transparent information and rational dialogue to enable citizens to have a better understanding of them. It said it will continue to supervise related agencies to ensure nuclear safety and provide more information for the public. "Citizens' safety and the national interest are our first priority," it emphasized, and the official stance of "no safety, no nuclear power" remains unchanged.