FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2012 file photo wind turbines produce green energy in Nauen near Berlin, Germany. Stephan Kohler, who heads the government-affiliated agency overseeing Germany's electricity grid, said Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, the current strong expansion of wind, solar and other renewable power sources will easily top the official target of 35 percent by 2022. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop, File)
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FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2012 file photo wind turbines produce green energy in Nauen near Berlin, Germany. Stephan Kohler, who heads the government-affiliated agency overseeing Germany's electricity grid, said Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, the current strong expansion of wind, solar and other renewable power sources will easily top the official target of 35 percent by 2022. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop, File)
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FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2012, file photo the sun rises behind electricity poles and wind turbines in Nauen, near Berlin, Germany. Stephan Kohler, who heads the government-affiliated agency overseeing Germany's electricity grid, said Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, the current strong expansion of wind, solar and other renewable power sources will easily top the official target of 35 percent by 2022. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop, File)
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FILE - The reactor building at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant seen during a tour held for broadcast and print media, in Crystal River, Fla., Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy said Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 it will permanently close its Crystal River Nuclear Plant north of Tampa, after botched repairs and use $835 million from an insurance settlement to refund consumers forced to pay for higher-cost replacement power. The nuclear plant o has been shut down since 2009, when its concrete containment building cracked during a maintenance and upgrade project.(AP Photo/Will Vragovic, Pool, File)
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FILE - Warren Gill, Nuclear Operator, looks over the panels in the control room at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant , in Crystal River, Fla., in a Tuesday, June 14, 2011 file photo. Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy said Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 it will permanently close its Crystal River Nuclear Plant north of Tampa, after botched repairs and use $835 million from an insurance settlement to refund consumers forced to pay for higher-cost replacement power. (AP Photo/Will Vragovic, Pool, File)
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In this photo provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Allison M. Macfarlane, second right, the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, listens as Richard St. Onge, Director of Nuclear Regulatory Affairs for Southern Cal Edison, points to the steam generator during a tour of the troubled San Onofre Nuclear Power Station on Monday Jan. 14, 2013 in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The plant located between Los Angeles and San Diego hasn't produced electricity in nearly a year, after a tiny radiation leak led to the discovery of excessive wear on hundreds of tubes that carry radioactive water. (AP Photo/Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Taiwan may hold referendum on nuclear plant
TAIPEI,
Taiwan (AP) —
Taiwan's premier says the
government will support holding a public referendum to resolve the prolonged controversy over the fate of the island's $10 billion nuclear power plant.
Jiang Yi-huah said Tuesday a referendum could resolve the 20-year-old debate about the power plant, which is nearly complete and slated to begin operation in 2015.
Jiang warns that opponents should be aware of the economic losses for scrapping the project while the government will ensure the plant's safety if a yes vote is secured.
Responding to rising anti-nuclear sentiment, the Taiwan government abruptly suspended the nuclear project in 2000 only to resume its construction shortly afterward as concerns about power shortage sent share prices plunging.
Officials say the vote could take place in July with lawmakers' endorsement.
Tags:
science_technology, nuclear power plant, nuclear power, vote, electricity generation, government, taiwan, nuclear fission, sustainable energy, nuclear proliferation, nuclear plant, referendum, nuclear physics, share prices, public referendum, power plant, anti-nuclear movement, economic losses, fusion power, jiang yi-huah, prolonged controversy, 20-year-old debate, anti-nuclear sentiment, power shortage, nuclear project, taiwan government
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