TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Environment (MOEN, 環境部) will submit the reoperation plan for the No. 2 and No. 3 nuclear power plants to the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC, 核安會) in March, Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) announced Wednesday (Dec. 10). The MOEN expects the commission to assume more responsibility, emphasizing the review must include environmental considerations. Peng stressed the commission must oversee the assessment from an environmental perspective despite current regulations not requiring environmental assessments for nuclear plant restarts.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部), Taiwan's economic planning agency, recently approved Taiwan Power Company's (Taipower, 台電), the state-owned utility, assessment report confirming the feasibility of reoperating the No. 2 and No. 3 plants. The MOEA will initiate independent safety inspections and develop a reoperation plan simultaneously. Peng noted current regulations do not require environmental assessments for nuclear plant restarts, but MOEN expects the commission to oversee the review from an environmental perspective.
The NSC's review plays a supervisory role similar to environmental impact assessments. Peng stressed the commission must address nuclear waste solutions and related inspections if the No. 2 and No. 3 plants restart together. The commission must approve the safety inspection report for the No. 3 plant and Taipower's operation plan before issuing a new operating license. Peng explained the No. 3 plant must undergo three approvals from the commission to restart. ◼