TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) on Wednesday (June 19) said he respects the Legislative Yuan's decision if it doesn't plan to schedule the proposed bills to extend the lifespan of nuclear power plants for review this session.
The first reactor at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant is slated to stop operating in July, prompting the Kuomintang to propose bills in April to extend its lifespan.
However, according to reports, the Legislature's Education and Culture Committee convener from the KMT will not schedule the bills for review. Convener Ko Chih-en stated that if the economic minister confirms there is no power shortage, there is no need to review the bills.
Nevertheless, KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) emphasized, "If not passed successfully in this session, we will still strive to schedule a review in the next session."
She added, "If we supported the extension of the second and third nuclear power plants' operation in the election, we should live up to our words."
As summer approaches, the surge in electricity usage in Taiwan is expected to put significant pressure on both the populace and the government.
