Maanshan Nuclear Plant License Renewal Hearing in Hengchun; Residents Focus on Safety and Waste Issues
The Nuclear Safety Commission held a public hearing in Hengchun today regarding the license renewal of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant. Local residents raised intense questions about seismic risks and the long-term storage of nuclear waste.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 16:13
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The Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) held a local briefing today on the renewal of the operating license for the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP3). Public attention focused heavily on plant safety and the final disposal of nuclear waste. The NSC stated it would conduct substantive reviews and on-site verifications, taking community opinions as a reference for regulatory oversight.
The briefing was hosted by Gao Bin, head of the NSC's Safety Control Division, and attended by legislators from both the DPP and KMT, along with over 100 local citizens.
According to the NPP3 report, the restart plan aims to bring deactivated units and organizational structures back to operational status. Autonomous safety checks ensure facilities remain safe beyond their 40-year lifespan. Strategies based on the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) experience from the U.S. are also being developed to ensure nuclear safety.
Over a dozen residents spoke at the scene. Some questioned the lack of social consensus for nuclear power following previous referendums. Concerns were raised about whether parts for aging machinery can still be procured, and calls were made to establish a local nuclear safety office. Others pointed out that NPP3 sits on a fault line and expressed opposition to restarting after 40 years of safe operation. The lack of a solution for nuclear waste was described as making safety promises mere 'slogans.'
DPP Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei noted that over 40 accidents occurred at NPP3 up to its decommissioning and urged the establishment of better early warning systems and transparent review information. KMT Legislator Su Ching-chuan expressed optimism for restarting from the perspective of energy independence and resilience, though he remains concerned about safety and waste management.
Gao Bin told the media that besides technical reviews, the NSC would conduct site visits to ensure all operations follow plans. He emphasized that the briefing is part of the review process to gather local concerns. The NSC has built a regulatory framework incorporating international standards and Taiwan's practical needs to strictly oversee the process.
Prior to the briefing, the Citizens of the Earth foundation held a press conference outside the town hall, shouting 'No old nuclear power, reject unsolvable waste,' urging the NSC to address risks and controversies before pushing forward with the review process.
The briefing was hosted by Gao Bin, head of the NSC's Safety Control Division, and attended by legislators from both the DPP and KMT, along with over 100 local citizens.
According to the NPP3 report, the restart plan aims to bring deactivated units and organizational structures back to operational status. Autonomous safety checks ensure facilities remain safe beyond their 40-year lifespan. Strategies based on the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) experience from the U.S. are also being developed to ensure nuclear safety.
Over a dozen residents spoke at the scene. Some questioned the lack of social consensus for nuclear power following previous referendums. Concerns were raised about whether parts for aging machinery can still be procured, and calls were made to establish a local nuclear safety office. Others pointed out that NPP3 sits on a fault line and expressed opposition to restarting after 40 years of safe operation. The lack of a solution for nuclear waste was described as making safety promises mere 'slogans.'
DPP Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei noted that over 40 accidents occurred at NPP3 up to its decommissioning and urged the establishment of better early warning systems and transparent review information. KMT Legislator Su Ching-chuan expressed optimism for restarting from the perspective of energy independence and resilience, though he remains concerned about safety and waste management.
Gao Bin told the media that besides technical reviews, the NSC would conduct site visits to ensure all operations follow plans. He emphasized that the briefing is part of the review process to gather local concerns. The NSC has built a regulatory framework incorporating international standards and Taiwan's practical needs to strictly oversee the process.
Prior to the briefing, the Citizens of the Earth foundation held a press conference outside the town hall, shouting 'No old nuclear power, reject unsolvable waste,' urging the NSC to address risks and controversies before pushing forward with the review process.