DPP urges government to review nuclear policy
ROC Central News Agency
2011/03/14 17:39:48
By Sophia Yeh and Kay Liu
Taipei, March 14 (CNA) The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) urged the government Monday to review its nuclear policy to allay public fears in light of the damage to nuclear power plants in Japan caused by last Friday's earthquake.
Since the devastating earthquake struck Japan, the looming threats from its stricken power plant in Fukushima have given rise to public concerns in Taiwan over the island's own nuclear safety, the DPP said in a press release.
Therefore, the government should inform the people about its plans to make Taiwan's nuclear power plants more resistant to natural disasters and about the measures that would be taken in the event of such disasters, the opposition party said.
The DPP suggested that Taiwan follow the lead of the United Kingdom and the United States and re-examine its nuclear policy.
Noting that Taiwan's first two nuclear power plants in New Taipei City went into operation in 1979 and 1981, respectively, the opposition party questioned the wisdom of the government's plan to extend their operating life beyond 40 years.
Taiwan currently has three operational nuclear power plants, including one in the southern county of Pingtung, and is building a fourth one in New Taipei City.
The safety standards for these plants and their design, based on studies that used old geology technology, are not capable of withstanding modern-day challenges, the DPP said, noting that Taiwan is situated on the earthquake-prone Pacific Rim.
Taiwan should rethink its overall energy policy, which relies on nuclear and thermal power, because it is not in the best interests of the country in terms of national security and sustainability, the DPP said.
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