In the NewsWork on Taiwan’s 4th nuclear power plant to proceed Atomic Energy Council Deputy Minister Huang Tsing-tung (center) announces the construction of the Lungmen nuclear plant will continue at a Safety Oversight Committee meeting Dec. 20. (CNA)
The ROC government will continue with efforts to build the No. 4 Longmen nuclear power plant in New Taipei City, Atomic Energy Council Deputy Minister Huang Tsing-tung said Dec. 20. “During the construction process, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the AEC will strengthen project management and safety surveillance,” Huang said. “We will uphold the principles of safety first with quality as our top priority.” Huang made the remarks during a Safety Oversight Committee meeting at the plant amid concerns over a Taiwan Power Co. safety report that has been criticized for failing to adequately address safety issues. In pre-operation tests at the plant over the past year, the nuclear facility has seen fires, blackouts and other irregularities. “We cannot accept the AEC’s decision to proceed with construction,” said Tsui Shu-hsin, secretary general of the nongovernmental Green Citizens’ Alliance and a member of the committee. Work on the plan should stop immediately and not be allowed to start again until a thorough safety review has been completed, Tsui added. According to Taipower, construction on the nuclear power plant is now 93.3 percent complete.  Members of the Safety Oversight Committee inspect the Longmen nuclear plant. (Courtesy of AEC)Since the start of construction in 1999, experts from both Taiwan and overseas have been hired to help Taipower solve different kinds of problems, the power company said. “A safety team based at the Longmen plant was established Oct. 1,” Li Jung-yao, manager of the team, pointed out. “The unit is an affiliation under Taipower’s Department of Nuclear Safety and is responsible for safety controls of pre-operation tests. It also assists in the establishment of operational measures that meet safety culture at the plant,” he added. Other participants in the meeting included the Homemakers’ Union and Foundation, National Association for Radiation Protection and Yenliao Anti-nuclear Self-help Association, Li said. (HZW) Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw |