Calling the government’s energy policies “misguided,” the Climate Change Pioneering Alliance yesterday urged presidential candidates to sign a pledge that they would commission international experts to conduct a complete review of the mothballed Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Gongliao District (貢寮).
Only by having a broad, comprehensive view of the issue can the government decide what kind of clean power source to transition to that would best benefit the environment, alliance spokesperson Chiang Chao-yuan (江肇元) told a news conference in Taipei.
Electricity involves more than a flick of a switch or sticking plugs into outlets; it is also about transportation, smart industry, clean drinking water and food, Chiang said.
Photo: Taipei Times file photo
The UN’s 24/7 Carbon-free Energy initiative — which incorporates renewable resources and nuclear power as low-carbon alternatives — is gaining increasing support from state governments, international corporations and new-general environmental protection groups, he said.
Alliance founder Yang Chia-fa (楊家法) said that because of the government’s misguided energy policies, its energy transition efforts lack public support, have failed to generate revenue for the state, would not reduce coal-fired energy production and ultimately would not benefit the public.
These policies would not reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and would not increase low-carbon energy sources, Yang added.
LowCarbonPower Ltd Co representative, Olof Nordenstam of Sweden, said that statistics and trends on energy usage from different countries show that nuclear power together with renewable energy can reduce a nation’s carbon footprint and help it achieve net zero emissions.
The alliance called on presidential candidates to pledge that they would commission foreign experts to conduct a complete and transparent inspection of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant if elected.
The group said that presidential candidates should also assess the possibility of extending the lifetime of the three nuclear power plants in service or consider updating their equipment.
Presidential candidates should also ensure that Taiwan maintains an independent atomic energy research facility that will allow the nation to keep up with international trends, the group said.
While they would not be called to commit to using nuclear energy, they should explore all options, including nuclear power, which has been proven to be a viable choice as a low-carbon alternative power source, the group said.
The alliance will provide copies of the pledge to all presidential candidates over the next three weeks in hopes that they would treat the issue seriously, Yang said.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
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