October 27, 2000
Premier Scraps Nuclear Plant Idea
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/text/2000/oct/27/102700028.html
ASSOCIATED PRESS

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Despite the risk of setting off more political feuding, Taiwan's new premier announced Friday that the government would scrap plans for a partially completed nuclear power plant. Premier Chang Chun-hsiung said construction will be halted to protect future generations from possible radiation contamination.

Terminating contracts and dismantling the state-run Taiwan Power Co. could cost $2.9 billion. But Chang -- in office less than a month -- said the government could save money by building less expensive liquid gas plants and selling some of the plant equipment.

The chairman of the Taiwan Power Co., Hsi Shih-chin, said the state-run firm will abide by the government's decision about the plant, which is one-third complete.

The announcement was hailed as "a victory for all Taiwanese" by residents near the plant site in the Taipei suburb of Kungliao.

But it drew fierce protests from the Nationalist Party, which approved the roughly $5.4 billion plant in 1980 when it still controlled the presidency.

Hung Yu-chin, the Nationalist Party's legislative whip, accused President Chen Shui-bian's government of violating laws passed by the legislature.

He urged the government watchdog agency to impeach the premier and other ministers for failing to execute a budget approved by the legislature.

"Letting policies be dictated by any party's platform is a very dangerous matter," Hung said. "People will have more uncertainties about the future."

The Nationalist-dominated legislature could force the issue by tabling a vote of no confidence against the government. But Hung said the Nationalists would not do so because Taiwan cannot afford prolonged political turmoil.

The Nationalists could still retaliate by rejecting the new government's budget and other legislation.

Proponents have long argued that the plant in northern Taiwan is urgently needed for national security and continued economic growth. They also argue that ditching the project would be a tremendous waste of taxpayers' money.

The Nationalists say nuclear power is crucial for Taiwan's security, since the island imports 97 percent of its energy needs.

But opponents argue Taiwan is incapable of storing the waste, and contend the plant would threaten the environment, already contaminated by decades of policies that put industrial growth ahead of all else.

The five-month old government risks angering foreign investors by calling off the project. Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Boston-based Stone and Webster Engineering Corp. and General Electric Co. are supplying the two 1,350-megawatt boiling water reactors.