TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU, 台灣環境保護聯盟) criticized Academia Sinica (中央研究院) President on Tuesday (Nov. 12) for his recent comments on nuclear energy. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao (廖俊智) stated a day earlier that Taiwan cannot afford to abandon any clean energy options, including nuclear power.
The union responded by emphasizing that the government should create plans to achieve the nuclear-free homeland policy (非核家園政策) gradually. They argued that Liao must adhere to national laws and policies as a public official.
The union also highlighted the risks of nuclear power, citing Taiwan's densely populated areas and frequent natural disasters. They argued that these factors increase the risk of nuclear disasters and that unresolved nuclear waste issues make nuclear power an unsuitable option.
The union called for a focus on energy conservation and renewable energy development, aligning with the global consensus on carbon reduction. Referencing data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the union noted that the cost of nuclear power generation in the EU is more than twice that of solar or wind power and is expected to quadruple by 2050.