HAZY DECISION: Lee Ying-yuan said he would step down if the number of days when the air quality index signal is red does not drop by 20 percent by his deadline
By Yang Mien-chieh, Ko Yu-how, Huang Pei-chun and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with
Taipei Times
Date: Dec 01, 2017
By: staff writer
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Minister Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) yesterday
Environmental Protection Administration Minister Lee Ying-yuan gestures at meeting of the legislature’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
vowed to resign next year if air pollution in the nation does not drop by 20 percent by May 20.
At a news conference called to discuss the severe haze that covered the western half of the nation on Wednesday, Lee said the EPA has invested NT$200 billion (US$6.66 billion) to enact 14 policies aimed at ameliorating air pollution.
“While changes cannot be effected overnight, we have seen a gradual improvement,” he said.
If the number of days when the air quality index signals red — meaning “unhealthy” levels — does not drop by 20 percent, he would take responsibility by tendering his resignation, he said. [FULL STORY]
