TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (台灣環境保護聯盟) criticized the economic minister on Friday (Nov. 22) for his remarks on nuclear energy, calling them "illegal" and urging acknowledgment of the lack of support from local governments for nuclear plants. Economic Minister J. W. Kuo (郭智輝) recently told the Legislative Yuan (立法院) that resolving nuclear waste management is crucial for nuclear energy development.
Kuo emphasized that new and traditional nuclear energy must adhere to three principles: nuclear safety, waste management, and social consensus. He stated the Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部) would learn from international experiences but has not set a timeline. The union argued that public officials should not make illegal pro-nuclear statements, claiming Kuo's remarks violate national laws and publicly assert a 60-70% support rate for nuclear power.
The union's assessment of environmental governance across Taiwan's 22 counties found no local government willing to host a nuclear plant or waste disposal site. They highlighted Taiwan's high disaster risk due to its dense population, frequent earthquakes, and typhoons, making nuclear energy development a violation of generational justice. The union urged against using carbon reduction as an excuse to undermine Taiwan's anti-nuclear consensus, noting Taiwan's carbon emissions account for only 0.57% of the global total.
Moreover, the union pointed out that the global consensus on carbon reduction focuses on energy conservation and renewable energy development, asserting that nuclear power will not lead to lower electricity prices. They called on government officials to demonstrate a commitment to a nuclear-free homeland.