Taiwan’s Atomic Energy Council (AEC) has suggested that Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) move a nuclear waste storage site off of Orchid Island. AEC Minister Hseh Shou-shing made the call at the legislature on Monday.
In March, 2015, the AEC detected that the nuclear waste storage facility on Orchid Island, off the southeastern coast of Taiwan, was managing waste with higher radiation levels than it was designed to hold. The council then ordered Taipower to set up new rules to regulate waste management, but Taipower failed to meet a deadline.
When asked to give a policy proposal on nuclear power at the legislature, AEC Minister Hsieh Shou-shing said that ensuring the safety of nuclear energy is of the utmost importance until President Tsai’s “Nuclear-free Homeland” concept becomes a reality by 2025.
Hsieh said that Taipower must come up with a feasibility assessment for managing waste from nuclear power plants 1 and 2. He also said the AEC will push for more communication with the public on key issues in order to build trust.
Hsieh reiterated the call for Taipower to gradually phase out all three of the nation’s nuclear power plants on schedule.
