Hsing-Ta Power Plant's Neighboring Damage Repairs Criticized as Slow, Residents Worry About Safety and Oppose Phase II Project

More than 30 residents from Wulitou today protested in front of Kaohsiung City Hall. Resident representative Sun Yifeng stated that after last year's explosion, Mayor Chen Chi-mai had sternly demanded Taipower to communicate well with the local community, and that operations would not resume without safety assurances. However, Taipower's progress on damage assessment and compensation has been very slow, and they are only willing to do wall plastering. Residents hope the city government and Taipower will address their demands, otherwise, more intense protests are not ruled out.

Taipower responded in writing, stating that for house damage repairs caused by the power plant project, Taipower has held multiple mediation and liaison meetings, and repairs are being carried out based on the principle of restoration to original condition. Currently, over 60% of houses have completed repairs, with another 5 households under construction. Taipower will uphold the two major principles of "stable power supply" and "local safety" and continue to communicate and coordinate with the local community.

Resident Lin Zhengde said that the Phase II reconstruction plan briefing was not held near the power plant, and Taipower only communicated with the local community once after last year's explosion. Chen Chi-mai's promise of local communication has thus fallen through. Resident Qiu Xueyu also said that Taipower is very "overbearing," bullying good old folks, and sacrificing local safety just for industrial development.

Residents today held banners and shouted in front of the City Hall Siwei Administrative Center, "Hsing-Ta Power Plant's safety issues are unresolved, yet Phase II is starting, ignoring residents. Mayor, where is the safety?" Kaohsiung City Economic Development Bureau Deputy Director Chen Yiliang came out to receive the petition, stating that the government will prioritize public safety.

Residents demanded that Taipower resolve the issues of the Phase I project before starting Phase II. In addition, Taipower should hold dedicated, substantive briefing sessions for the three communities closest to the power plant, including Wulitou, to implement local communication.

Taipower explained that regarding house repair operations, a total of 133 households need repairs, of which 85 have been completed. For cases where no consensus has been reached, the company will continue to urge contractors to communicate individually; if a consensus still cannot be reached, individual mediation applications will be processed according to the conclusions of the mediation committee to ensure residents' rights.

Regarding community disaster prevention and response, Taipower stated that in addition to regularly holding practical drills for natural gas leaks, fires, and other disasters annually to enhance overall protection capabilities, it has also implemented and completed drills for the disaster warning cell broadcast mechanism and joined local disaster prevention LINE groups to ensure timely notification to local units in case of an incident.

For elderly evacuation response, Taipower has also established a "Community Guardian Action Team" to arrange dedicated vehicles for priority pick-up and drop-off of elderly and mobility-impaired individuals, and has planned comprehensive resettlement routes and material supplies. (Edited by Li Shuhua) 1150410