Lai: Coal-burning Plant OK Because It

The application to expand Shenao Power Plant's coal-burning operations has been passed with EPA Deputy Minister Thomas Chan casting the decisive vote. Chan, a former environmental activist has been criticized by as betraying his conscience by KMT lawmakers, who are also calling for his resignation. Kuomintang lawmakers occupy the speaker's podium in a show of protest. On the 14th, the Environmental Protection Administration's environmental impact assessment committee passed Shenao Power Plant's application to expand its coal-burning operations. The deciding vote was cast by EPA Deputy Minister Thomas Chan. The KMT is calling for Chan's resignation. Chan was an environmental activist before entering politics. You used to be an environmental lawyer, but now that you're a politician you've done a complete 180. To keep your new position, you're willing to betray your conscience and override the law? Even if Taiwan didn't have a power shortage -- the Shenao power plant expansion application was already rejected over a decade ago. Why did you decide to force such a hugely controversial application through in just one meeting? The KMT says the application needs to be reevaluated, but Premier William Lai says there is no need because the plant burns "clean" coal. The coal used by Shenao Power Plant is clean coal. Its facilities include ultra-critical units. In other words, the pollution produced by the plant is about the same as pollution produced by natural gas power plants. Lai also said the Executive Yuan would keep a close eye on the project and it would proceed in accordance with the law.