Anti-Nuclear Groups Reiterate Opposition to Third Nuclear Plant Restart on First Anniversary of Nuclear-Free Homeland

Central News Agency (CNA) message (Reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, 17th) – One year into Taiwan's nuclear-free homeland policy, political calls to restart old nuclear power plants have resurfaced. Anti-nuclear groups today reiterated three solemn demands: opposing the restart of the Third Nuclear Power Plant, insisting that reviews should not be rushed, and implementing the three principles of nuclear power. On May 17, 2025, Taiwan decommissioned its last nuclear power plant, officially becoming the first country in Asia to declare and implement nuclear abolition. The National Nuclear Abolition Action Platform stated in a press release today that a year has passed, yet political voices calling for the restart of old nuclear power plants have emerged again. The platform first stated its opposition to the restart of the Third Nuclear Power Plant. As the 2025 referendum on the plant did not pass, major public policy changes should involve democratic procedures, risk verification, and information disclosure. The discussion on restarting nuclear power still lacks social consensus. The Third Nuclear Power Plant should not be restarted, and the government should not take actions contrary to the referendum results within two years. Secondly, the platform pointed out that the current restart review process is reduced to a technical decision, lacking clear information disclosure and social trust, leaving local residents unable to participate in decision-making. The Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) should ensure information transparency and translation in the restart review process, and there should be comprehensive public participation planning that respects the self-determination rights of local residents. Lastly, the platform believes that the Third Nuclear Power Plant faces unresolved issues of nuclear safety, nuclear waste, and insufficient social communication. The ruling party is responsible for explaining to society how these 'three principles of nuclear power' will be concretely implemented, proposing clear procedures and thresholds for public scrutiny. The government must clearly answer 'where the nuclear waste will be stored.' Simultaneously, the Legislative Yuan should promptly amend the three nuclear safety laws to expand the emergency planning zone of nuclear power plants to 30 kilometers, increase nuclear disaster compensation, and strengthen nuclear disaster response capabilities. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union also issued a press release today, stating that the government, by allowing the Third Nuclear Power Plant to operate for 40 years and decommissioning it upon license expiration, fulfilled its obligation under the 'Environmental Basic Act' to achieve a 'nuclear-free homeland,' which is a significant achievement for the entire nation in pursuing Taiwan's sustainable development. The union believes that Taipower's submission of a re-operation plan for the plant to the NSC on March 27 this year, and the NSC's formal initiation of the review process, not only violate the legal goal of a nuclear-free homeland but also attempt to lead Taiwan back to the old path of relying on high-risk nuclear power. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union expresses its strong opposition. The union emphasizes that achieving a nuclear-free homeland is a crucial outcome of the people's choice for safety, democracy, and intergenerational justice. It calls on the government to halt plans to restart nuclear power, adhere to the legal goal of a nuclear-free homeland, and accelerate the development of renewable energy and related facilities to strengthen localized energy security and resilience. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150517