CLEAN COAL? One former chairman of the group said emissions from coal-fired power plants can be cut to about that of gas facilities with the right technologies
Taipei Times
Date: Dec 06, 2017
By: Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporter
The problem of air pollution has been overexaggerated by some environmental groups and the media,
Clean air campaigners hold signs calling for zero tolerance of air pollution at a protest in Kaohsiung yesterday. Photo: CNA
Taiwan Professional Environmental Engineers Association chairman Hu Ssu-tsung (胡思聰) told a forum yesterday, calling on the government to conduct more careful evaluations of energy and environmental policies.
“The issue of air pollution has raised public concern to a certain level, but whether the problem is really that serious should be clarified,” Hu said.
While many environmentalists keep a close watch on the levels of PM2.5 — airborne particulate matter that measures 2.5 micrometers or less — the key is to analyze its composition and the sources of emissions, he said.
Government agencies, especially the Environmental Protection Administration, should allow the public to access data “that are traceable and verifiable” so that people can deliberate on the risks when choosing from different energy sources, he said. [FULL STORY]
