TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Opposition lawmakers are facing criticism for pushing amendments to the Air Pollution Control Act through committee review directly to a floor vote, with officials warning changes could threaten energy resilience and industrial stability.
KMT and TPP legislators fast-tracked amendments that grant local governments expanded authority over industrial air pollution regulation, potentially affecting operations at an estimated 8,000 companies across Taiwan, per UDN.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said the proposed amendments undermine Taiwan’s energy security and hinder the development of strategic industries such as AI and advanced technology manufacturing. The ministry urged lawmakers to heed repeated concerns raised by industry groups.
Officials identified five major unresolved issues with the amendments. First, companies could face shutdown if operating permits expire before renewal reviews are completed. Second, changes to permit validity periods for “Level 3 pollution control zones” could increase administrative costs while shortening extension periods, potentially affecting economic development.
Third, the amendments would allow local governments to unilaterally require businesses to reduce emissions, potentially creating inconsistencies between central and local regulations. Fourth, local authorities could independently ban the use of certain fuels, a move the ministry said could affect Taiwan’s electricity supply and national energy planning. Fifth, officials warned that ambiguous legal language could negatively affect business investment decisions.
The ministry noted that several business associations issued a joint statement on April 24 expressing concern that the amendments would increase local government discretion while shortening permit extension periods, adding paperwork and administrative burdens for companies.
State-run Taipower also voiced concerns on April 29, stating that electricity is a critical national resource and that power plants in eastern and western Taiwan are closely linked to major science parks and industrial clusters.
Taipower said maintaining a stable power supply is essential for national security and economic development and urged lawmakers to carefully consider the amendments’ potential effects on electricity reliability during legislative review.
At a public hearing held at the legislature on May 11, participants raised concerns about the broad implications of the amendments and called for additional hearings to better assess their impact. The ministry said companies holding pollution source operation permits include firms in the semiconductor, steel, petrochemical, textile, power generation, hospitality, and healthcare sectors, per UDN.
MOEA reiterated that Taiwan should maintain a stable and predictable investment environment to support domestic industries. It said any revisions to clean air legislation should be based on clear regulatory principles and broad consultation with stakeholders.
The ministry added that a single public hearing may not be sufficient to address the concerns of affected industries and again urged lawmakers to preserve the current air pollution control framework to avoid disruptions to business operations and energy resilience.
