Flush from referendum success, a pro-nuclear group is suggesting a further plebiscite on restarting construction of the fourth nuclear power plant if the government doesn’t adjust its energy policy of its own accord.
The News Lens
Date: 2018/11/26
By: Cat Thomas
Credit: Reuters / TPG
The government has downplayed the success of the referendum advocating for an end to its commitment to make Taiwan nuclear-free by 2025, but may face a further referendum on whether to restart work on the fourth nuclear power plant at Lungmen in New Taipei.
Referendum 16, which asked: “Do you agree to repeal Article 95 paragraph 1 of The Electricity Act: “The nuclear-energy-based power-generating facilities shall wholly stop running by 2025?” passed on Saturday with a participation rate of approximately 55 percent of 19.7 million eligible voters, according to Central Election Commission data.
Yet the response of the government suggests that despite the success of this referendum, energy policy will likely remain unchanged.
Spokesperson for the Executive Yuan Kolas Yotaka confirmed on Sunday that the paragraph of the Electricity Act committing to phasing out nuclear power will be removed within three days, as required under the referendum law, but that the government will persist with its goal of making Taiwan a nuclear-free homeland by 2025. [FULL STORY]
