Taipei: President Lai Ching-te has reassured environmental groups that any shift in Taiwan's nuclear power policy will prioritize safety and societal consensus. Lai emphasized that the current government stance, which builds on the previous administration's approach to phasing out nuclear power, remains unchanged.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lai outlined three prerequisites for any potential modification in nuclear policy: ensuring nuclear safety, managing nuclear waste effectively, and securing social consensus. He affirmed the government's openness to exploring new and advanced nuclear technologies as part of its commitment to providing a stable energy supply and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Lai's remarks were made during a closed-door meeting with representatives from approximately a dozen environmental organizations, such as the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU) and the Taiwan Academy of Ecology. The Presidential Office later released his opening and concluding statements from the three-hour discussion with the NGOs.
TEPU Chairman Shieh Jyh-Cherng praised Lai's comments, noting their timeliness amid opposition parties' efforts to amend nuclear policy laws. These proposed changes could lead to extending the operation of Taiwan's active nuclear reactor at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant and potentially reviving decommissioned reactors.
Wang Hsing-chih, secretary-general of the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, voiced concerns about the government's plans to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. He warned that this could result in more LNG receiving terminals in Taiwan, potentially raising carbon emissions.
Lai assured the NGOs that the decision to purchase more LNG from the U.S. aims to address Taiwan's trade surplus with Washington. He also highlighted the importance of these deals in ongoing tariff negotiations with the Trump administration.