The National Assembly's Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises (the Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, and SMEs) passed the so-called 'Energy Three Laws' on the 17th, including the Special Act on Expanding the National Power Grid, the Special Act on High-Level Radioactive Waste, and the Special Act on Offshore Wind Power Generation.
The Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, and SMEs held a meeting of the Special Committee on Trade, Industry, and Energy in the afternoon at the National Assembly and voted to pass the related bills.
The 'Special Act on Expanding the National Power Grid,' which passed the special committee on that day, contains provisions to enhance the expansion of transmission lines and increase the pace of power generation based on national support.
When establishing the implementation plan related to the national power grid, local government heads are required to gather public opinions and respond within 60 days to prevent delays. Additionally, to induce the transfer of corporations to local areas and resolve the concentration of power in the metropolitan area, generated power will be prioritized for use at the production site.
The essence of the 'High-Level Radioactive Waste Law,' which addresses the construction and operation of storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel, was about "how to determine the storage facility capacity." The opposition party argued for the 'predicted amount during the design lifespan,' while the ruling party insisted on the 'predicted amount during the reactor operating permit period.' On that day, the opposition proposal against nuclear power was pushed through in the special committee.
The 'Special Act on Offshore Wind Power Generation' includes provisions to shift from the existing operator-led approach to a method where the government actively identifies sites and supports permits and approvals. The offshore wind power projects, which had been promoted by private corporations, faced opposition from residents, environmental regulations, and debates about their economic viability. The ruling and opposition parties agreed to include clauses on 'public interest' and 'national security' in the Special Act on Offshore Wind Power Generation.
The Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, and SMEs is scheduled to hold a general meeting on the 19th and process the bills that were approved in the special committee that day. The bills passed by the standing committee are expected to be submitted to the plenary session of the temporary National Assembly in February.