TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A controversial policy proposal recommending that nuclear waste be stored in municipalities with the highest percentage of "yes" votes in the recent failed nuclear power referendum was approved Monday on an online government policy platform.
The proposal argues that public fear of nuclear energy remains strong and that placing storage facilities in areas most supportive of nuclear power would face less resistance, per Tai Sounds. Under current rules, the Nuclear Safety Commission is required to respond to the proposal before Oct. 25.
The top three municipalities with the highest percentage of “yes” votes in the referendum were Kinmen County (94.21%), Lienchiang County (94%), and Miaoli County (86.56%). The referendum on Saturday asked voters whether they would support reopening the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant if a safety assessment cleared it for extension.
In response to the proposal, the Miaoli County Government told the Liberty Times that relevant questions should be directed to the NSC. Lienchiang County Magistrate Wang Chung-ming (王忠銘) said he had spoken to multiple constituents and found unanimous opposition to the plan, per Liberty Times.
Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Fu-hai (陳福海) and County Council Deputy Speaker Ou Yang I-hsiung (歐陽儀雄) also rejected the idea, saying only the residents of Wuqiu Township have the authority to decide whether waste can be stored there, per Liberty Times. Wuqiu Township was designated in 2011 as a potential low-level nuclear waste site.
Meanwhile, DPP New Taipei City Councilor Lin Ping-yu (林秉宥) suggested that both low-level and high-level nuclear waste could be stored in Kinmen’s tunnel system, per NOWnews. Lin also proposed that Taiwan purchase nuclear power from China to address local power shortages.
KMT Kinmen Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) responded to both suggestions, per UDN. On the nuclear waste issue, Chen said she does not support placing waste in Kinmen proper, but proposed storing it on Erdan Island, which is uninhabited. She added that the government could offer financial compensation to Kinmen if the plan proceeds.
Regarding cross-strait energy cooperation, Chen noted that China has already proposed connecting its power grid with Kinmen. She argued that such a plan could save Taipower between NT$2 billion (US$65.6 million) and NT$3 billion annually in fuel costs for Kinmen’s energy supply.
Chen said that if the pilot project in Kinmen proves successful, the Ministry of Economic Affairs could evaluate whether to expand it to Taiwan. However, she stressed that storing nuclear waste on Erdan would require a Taipower feasibility assessment, and any cross-strait energy integration must undergo a national security review.
