TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Every year, people living in southern Taiwan have to deal with bad air quality from late fall to spring. The pollution is the result of power plants there burn coal to create energy.
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) issues an air pollution alert when the air quality is not good, and if necessary, Taipower will reduce power generation and carbon emissions.
But environmental groups think that Taiwan should begin improving air quality by making changes to power plants.
Air Clean Taiwan chairman Dr. Yeh Guang-Perng pointed out that Taiwan should reduce the use of coal-fired plants in the winter, meaning Taiwanese may need to cut back on their power usage.
But, how? To begin with, Yeh suggested adjustments to electricity rates in the winter too to deter households and businesses to consume more.
Our local environmental groups have requested that all coal-fired power plants must be phased out by 2029 because they are a major source of pollution to the Taichung area
Meanwhile, some experts have advised that coal-fired plants be retired entirely.
Clean Air Taichung Alliance executive director Yueh Hsiang-wen remarked, "The government should actively phase out coal-fired power plants, such as the thermal powerplants in Taichung."
"Our local environmental groups have requested that all coal-fired power plants must be phased out by 2029 because they are a major source of pollution to the Taichung area."
The EPA added that after much discussion, they are now increasing random inspections on the carbon emissions issued by diesel vehicles to curb air pollution.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s air quality standards have been branded too low.
According to the standards issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021, the annual average concentrations of the air pollutant, PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m 3 (micrograms per cubic meter.) However, Taiwan’s current acceptable limit is 15.
As our population gets older, Taiwan should place more emphasis on creating a clean environment for locals to lead healthy lives.
