3139 Edition
April 23-29, 2012
Headline News

Reported by Sam Lee, Chen Yi-hsuan

Written by Lydia Ma

Taiwan Power Corporation (also known as Taipower) recently began to drill and conduct geological tests in Hualien County's He-Ping Village, near Hsiulin Township, where Taroko indigenous communities live. Rumors that Taipower plans to store nuclear waste from existing power plants in that region soon led to protests and public hearings.

On April 19, more than 100 Taroko indigenous residents protested in front of Taipower's headquarters and a meeting was convened by Taroko Presbytery's Church and Society Committee the following day. The presbytery also scheduled informational sessions at several churches to raise awareness on this issue and rally indigenous presbyteries together to promote a nuclear-free homeland.

According to Taroko Presbytery's General Secretary Nangan Tadaw, some indigenous residents working in a remote area near the Bihai Power Plant discovered by accident that some Taipower construction workers had been drilling in the area. Out of curiosity, they asked what the commotion was about and were told that a new tunnel was being built. However, when Taroko Presbytery contacted Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (DPP) to seek her help in investigating this matter, they discovered that Taipower was actually conducting geological tests 500 meters underground. Suspicions soon surfaced that these tests were aimed at determining whether the place would be fit to store nuclear waste, as the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) had already received applications concerning this project.

Nangan Tadaw and Taroko Presbytery's Church and Society Secretary Kowsang Yuyaw and Hsiao Bi-khim convened a press conference at the Legislative Yuan on April 12, 2012 and underscored that no information could be found about this project in either Taipower's website or AEC's website – a tell-tale sign that this is a clandestine operation conducted without the knowledge and approval of local residents.

The location of this project lies on a mountainous border between Hualien and Yilan counties and radiation leakage would pollute the natural environment and endanger the lives of local residents, said Nangan Tadaw at the press conference. “The mountain is like a mother to us, storing such lethal materials inside a mountain is akin to injecting poison into the marrow of a mother. It is very scary!”

He added that this region is prone to earthquakes, the latest one occurring on April 19 and registering 5.4 in the Richter scale, which could easily result in devastating nuclear radiation leaks. For this reason, local residents are determined to oppose this project to the very end.

Nangan Tadaw also urged nearby indigenous presbyteries, such as Atayal Presbytery and Amis Presbytery, as well as neighboring townships to join them in opposing this project. He said that storing highly radioactive nuclear fuel rods near Bihai Power Plant would endanger the whole Hualien and Yilan region. Hence, not only should local residents oppose nuclear wastes, but also they should promote a nuclear-free homeland.

In related news, Tokyo Taiwan Church's pastor Rev. Lee Meng-Che returned to Taiwan to take part in this year's General Assembly Annual Convention and was invited by Tainan Theological College and Seminary to speak about intercultural mission strategies.

Speaking from his experience while living and observing Japanese people in the past year as Japan struggled to get back on its feet in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent nuclear spills, Lee asked the Taiwanese people to seriously consider whether nuclear energy is necessary. He also spoke about the importance of respecting the local culture and understanding the real needs of the people whenever assisting in disaster relief or rebuilding efforts.

During a visual presentation describing the extent of the damages, including news clips and pictures of the 311 Earthquake, Lee underscored that though the earthquake and the tsunami were devastating, what people feared the most was the release of radioactive materials. In fact, to this date, no one has been able to estimate the extent of the damages and how far-reaching they may be.

He added that though the Japanese government has already closed down many nuclear reactors, the advent of the summer season, when the use of electricity is expected to skyrocket, has polarized the nation. There have been many clashes between those who want to see the reactivation of nuclear power plants and those who want to discontinue the use of nuclear energy altogether. Lee said it is very likely that operations at nuclear power plants will resume if the nation succumbs to profit-driven corporations.