A legislative committee session yesterday sputtered into gridlock as legislators and government officials sparred over legal language in proposed amendments to limit air pollution, prompting several legislators to accuse the authorities of being nonchalant about potential health hazards posed by factory emissions.
The session focused on capping factory-emitted PM2.5 — airborne pollutants measuring less than 2.5 micrometers — identified as a carcinogen by the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
An amendment proposed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) said that if the annual concentrations of air pollutants — ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 — gauged in a municipality exceeds the annual standard stipulated by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) for three years in a row, that municipality shall be designated a “level 3” air pollution prevention zone, meaning air quality in the region is in breach of emission standards.
Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
Furthermore, if a municipality records subpar air quality for five consecutive years, it alone — or together with its neighbors — shall be designated an overall emission control zone, which would prohibit the establishment of new factories unless proprietors obtain emission quotas granted to existing plants by auction or direct trading.
Lin said that air pollutants produced throughout the nation often exceed standards set by the administration, but that there has been no legal tool to hold plants accountable for emissions since the act was introduced in 1999.
An amendment submitted by DPP Legislator Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國) proposes a standard emission inspection system and an emission quota trading system for control zones, and that the systems be introduced after the administration consults with the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
EPA and ministry officials objected to both plans.
Department of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control Director-General Chen Hsien-heng (陳咸亨) said that since the makeup of industrial sectors and their clientele vary, and the pollution reduction technology employed by each firm varies, the proposed rules should not be imposed indiscriminately.
Environmental Protection Administration Minister Wei Kuo-yen (魏國彥) suggested that Lin’s phrasing of “shall” be changed to “may,” in accordance with the wording of the article she intends to amend, saying that it allows for more “flexible” enforcement.
He also said that Liu’s use of the word “consult” should be changed to “convene with” — a sentiment echoed by Ministry of Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Shen Jong-jin (沈榮津).
Chen and Wei’s remarks angered some legislators, who said the officials attempted to stall the introduction of overall emission control zones to protect businesses at the cost of public health, and that their proposed wording aimed at weakening accountability for pollution.
Lin criticized the EPA, saying it “subordinates itself” to the ministry, while DPP Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟), who chaired the meeting, asked Wei if the administration had “completely abandoned its principles.”
Chao broke up the meeting after announcing that the proposed amendments would be taken to the grand assembly for further discussions. None of the 10 amendments discussed yesterday were passed.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old