Residents living near the construction site of the island's Fourth Nuclear Power Plant yesterday accused officials from the state-run Taiwan Power Corporation (Taipower, 台電) of manipulating both the media and the incoming DPP-led central government by releasing what activists called "misinformation".
At the same time, in a bid to justify a proposed halt to the ongoing construction of the US$5.1 billion plant, anti-nuclear activists urged officials in Taipei County to strengthen their opposition to the three existing nuclear plants in their county.
Residents from Kungliao township in Taipei County -- where the new plant is being built -- urged the incoming government to stop construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, calling it a product of the "mistaken policies" of the previous KMT government.
"We sincerely hope the new government can hear our voices: don't endorse this check," said Wu Wen-tung (
"At this crucial moment, Taipower officials should stop releasing unreliable information that is confusing both the public and the new government," said Wu, adding that information released recently contradicts information it had publicized earlier, and has exposed the defects of the government's existing energy policy.
Wu said Taipower had informed residents in neighboring Juifang (
Environmentalists said that during the transition of political power in the government, Taipower should not have shifted its focus from the possible halting of the construction over safety concerns, to those of potential financial losses.
"We urge Taipower to disclose information contained in original documents related to the project, including agreements with foreign contractors," said Lai Wei-chieh (
Lai added that it was not easy for people to determine if statements by Taipower officials were true. Taipower has said that building more nuclear power plants is the only solution to the power shortage problem in Taiwan.
Activists claim that internal information they received from the company has suggested its management is suffering serious problems.
"We've heard that major `line loss' due to the poorly-designed power grid has greatly burdened the company," Lai said.
Line loss (or drop) is the electrical energy lost due to inherent inefficiencies in an electrical transmission and distribution system under specific conditions.
"However, Taipower has never provided people with accurate information, because they have to keep running their business," said Lai.
He added that reviewing energy policies and the administrative structure of power supply should be a priority for the new government.
Responding to the accusations from anti-nuclear activists, company officials said that Taipower was only able to carry out policies decided by its superintendents.
"Currently we are carrying out policies made by the old government. Similarly, if any new decision is made by the new government, we'll follow those instructions," said Huang Huei-yu (黃惠予), division head of Taipower's public affairs department.
"Released information cannot be faked. We did not `make up' the necessity of building nuclear power plants," Huang said, adding that the company adjusts its evaluation of power supply and demand in Taiwan every year.
Huang also denied accusations that line loss was being caused by improper management.
"We only have a 6 percent line loss, compared with the UK's 9 percent, Canada's 8 percent, and France's 7 percent," Huang said.
Meanwhile, in preparation for a major anti-nuclear demonstration on May 13, anti-nuclear activists from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU,
Su, a DPP member and former Pingtung County Commissioner, has strengthened his anti-nuclear stance since he took over Taipei County, home of Taiwan's first two nuclear power plants.
"What we Taipei County residents worry about is Taipower's incompetence."
How can they keep building the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant when the waste generated by two previous ones has not been completely managed," Su said.
TEPU members argued that halting nuclear power plants under construction is not rare in other developed countries.
"It's a crucial moment for carrying out nuclear non-proliferation policies and adopting alternative energy in Taiwan," said Shih Shin-min (
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