Taipower Stresses Compliance with Radiation Protection and Allowing Only Authorized Legislative and Supervisory Members to Enter Nuclear Power Plant

Regarding the planned visit to the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant (4th NPP) on the 9th by Kuomintang legislators Hsiao-Ling Weng, Shyh-Bao Lai, and Hung-Wei Wang, which includes a request for external consultants such as professors from the Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Science (NES) of National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) to participate, Taipower has responded.

Taipower indicated that this itinerary had been discussed with the legislators and an agreement was reached. In order to comply with Radiation Protection requirements and maintain effective access control, only those empowered by the state, such as legislators (including legislative aides) and supervisory members, may enter the nuclear power plant for official inquiries. For example, during the visit of the Economics Committee to Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant (2nd NPP) on August 9, 2021, the same principle was followed, allowing 15 legislators and their aides from both the ruling and opposition parties to participate. Taipower emphasizes that while legislators are welcome to inspect the plant, external consultants do not meet the security requirements and thus cannot be granted access. The company urges legislators to support the nuclear plant's security protocols and access control measures.

Taipower further explained that the Longmen Asset Management Center (formerly the 4th NPP) still contains nuclear equipment and components regulated under the "Agreement for Cooperation Between Taiwan and the U.S. Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy," such as reactor pressure vessels, control rods, fuel bundles, and primary coolant pumps. These are subject to the physical protection standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Only personnel from regulatory agencies conducting inspections related to nuclear power generation may apply for entry to carry out their duties. Legislators and supervisors, after submitting applications and receiving approval from the company, may enter to gain an on-site understanding of plant operations.

In response to concerns about scholars accompanying legislators during a recent visit to Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (3rd NPP), Taipower clarified that the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee visited the southern exhibition center of the 3rd NPP on July 10 to investigate the "Impact of the 3rd NPP's Decommissioning and Solar Power Development Projects" as part of their study of the Pingtung area's environmental conditions. Local representatives participated in this visit as stakeholders invited by the committee to fulfill their duty of overseeing major local infrastructure. This situation differs significantly from the current request to involve nuclear consultants in the visit to the 4th NPP and should not be conflated.

Taipower stressed that all of its nuclear facilities strictly comply with IAEA safeguards and physical protection regulations. Taiwan has received the highest rating from the International Atomic Energy Agency, being classified as a nation where all nuclear materials are used solely for peaceful purposes. While Taipower welcomes legislative visits and inspections, it requests legislators' cooperation in adhering to security protocols, access control measures, and personnel management to uphold the nation's top international nuclear security rating.