KMT Launches Nuclear Referendum Website to Boost Election Support

In the nine-in-one local elections scheduled for November 28, voters will simultaneously cast ballots on the referendum to "abolish the nuclear-free homeland." To promote nuclear energy policies, the Kuomintang (KMT) officially launched the "Nuclear Energy Referendum Website" today as a platform to convey relevant information to voters. The website's content covers issues such as the safety of nuclear power generation, cost-effectiveness, energy mix adjustments, and national energy security, accompanied by expert commentary and polling data in an attempt to persuade voters to support the reactivation of nuclear power.

Wu Yi-ting, deputy executive director of the KMT think tank, pointed out during the press conference that the referendum ballot in citizens' hands is not only a right to choose, but also a medium to express social consensus to the ruling party. She urged voters to use the referendum opportunity to let the government understand public opinion and further promote the restart and new construction of nuclear power plants. Wu emphasized that if nuclear energy can resume operations after safety regulation and technological upgrades, it will significantly reduce Taiwan's reliance on imported fuel and provide a stable foundation for future energy transition.

The background of the "abolish the nuclear-free homeland" referendum stems from long-standing controversies over Taiwan's energy policy. Since the 1990s, Taiwan has held multiple referendums related to nuclear power generation, ultimately successfully abolishing nuclear power in 2005 under the slogan of a "nuclear-free homeland." This move has made Taiwan's energy mix highly dependent on coal and natural gas, while also leading to energy price volatility and emission issues. In recent years, as global climate change issues have heated up, the government and most political parties have called for restarting nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions and seek diversification in terms of energy security.

However, the nuclear energy issue remains deeply divisive. Opponents worry about the risks of nuclear accidents, the costs of nuclear waste disposal, and public a sense of safety. Proponents argue that nuclear energy possesses advantages such as high power generation capacity and low carbon emissions, which can offset the intermittency of renewable energy. The KMT's website attempts to persuade voters using factual data and thereby consolidate its support base in the local elections. If the referendum results support the restart of nuclear energy, it will have a profound impact on Taiwan's energy policy and may alter Taiwan's competitiveness in the international energy market.

The concurrent holding of this referendum and the local elections means that voters' polling behavior will simultaneously influence local governance and national energy direction. Through website promotion, the KMT attempts to incorporate the nuclear energy issue into voters' considerations and thereby enhance the party's persuasiveness on energy issues. Regardless of the outcome, the referendum will become one of the turning points in Taiwan's energy policy, reflecting the public's trade-offs between energy security and environmental protection. If nuclear energy is successfully restarted in the future, Taiwan will face the challenge of how to balance energy supply and economic development under the premise of ensuring safety and environmental protection.

(Source: Central News Agency)