Chernobyl Anniversary: Activists Urge Against Restarting Old Nuclear Plants
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Environmental groups are calling to remember the Chernobyl disaster's lessons and oppose the restart of old nuclear power plants.
- The call comes as Taiwan marks 40 years since the Chernobyl accident and considers restarting its own aging nuclear facilities.
- Concerns are raised about the safety and waste disposal of nuclear power, especially given Taiwan's dense population and geological risks.
As Taiwan approaches the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, environmental activists are sounding the alarm against any potential restarts of the island's aging nuclear power plants. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU) urged the public and government to learn from the catastrophic 1986 accident, which contaminated vast areas and affected millions. TEPU highlighted the ongoing costs and risks associated with Chernobyl, including recent concerns over radiation leaks due to the war in Ukraine.
Don't think that 40 years ago is far away; this nuclear disaster has always been a present continuous tense.
TEPU's statement comes at a critical juncture, as Taiwan has recently achieved its goal of becoming a 'nuclear-free homeland' with the decommissioning of its last reactor. However, there are growing signals from the current administration, including President Lai, about the possibility of restarting the Second and Third Nuclear Power Plants, which have been in operation for over 40 years. While the government emphasizes conditions like 'nuclear safety,' 'waste disposal solutions,' and 'social consensus,' TEPU questions the clarity and measurability of these criteria.
What does 'nuclear safety is not a concern' mean? Is it 'not a concern' just because the Atomic Energy Council reviews and passes it?
The environmental group specifically challenges the definition of 'nuclear safety,' asking if a review by the Atomic Energy Council is sufficient, especially for aging facilities with potential seismic vulnerabilities. They also question whether safety assessments consider extreme scenarios like wartime, a pertinent concern given the rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, TEPU probes the ambiguity surrounding 'waste disposal solutions' and 'social consensus,' pointing out that a recent referendum on restarting the Third Nuclear Power Plant, though not passing, saw more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes, raising questions about public agreement.
What does 'nuclear waste disposal has a solution' mean? Does it mean the interim dry storage facility for high-level nuclear waste is completed? Or does it mean the final disposal site has started construction?
Given Taiwan's high population density and susceptibility to natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes, TEPU argues that the island cannot afford to risk another major nuclear incident. They implore society to heed the lessons of Chernobyl and stand firm against restarting old nuclear plants, advocating instead for continued commitment to energy transition and a safe, sustainable future for all citizens. This perspective reflects a deep-seated concern within Taiwan's environmental movement about the long-term safety and sustainability of nuclear power, contrasting with potential governmental pushes for energy security through existing infrastructure.
Taiwan is densely populated and frequently experiences typhoons and earthquakes, making it difficult to withstand a major nuclear disaster.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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