In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Lawmakers have passed an amendment to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities
Regulation Act that will allow nuclear power plant operators to apply for a
20-year license renewal beyond the existing 40-year limit.

The move potentially extends a plant's operating lifespan to 60 years.

The amendment was proposed by the K-M-T and the Taiwan People's Party as part
of their efforts to revive nuclear power as part of Taiwan's energy strategy.

If granted, the renewed operating licenses would be valid for up to 20 years
from the date they take effect, with the Nuclear Safety Commission setting
the application procedures, required documentation and safety review
standards.

The D-P-P opposed the bill over nuclear waste concerns.

While the K-M-T and T-P-P argued the changes add flexibility and do not
guarantee any immediate extension of nuclear operations.

Taiwan will cease to generate any nuclear power when the No. 2 reactor at the
Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County goes off offline this coming
Saturday.

Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei has said power from the reactor will likely
be available until the end of May, but extending the reactor's lifespan and
refueling would take at least 16 to 18 months.