Nantou Proposes Waste Incinerator: Environmental Groups Worry About Microclimate Impact and Tea Yield Reduction
Local residents and environmental groups in Mingjian Township, Nantou County, are protesting a proposed waste incinerator. They fear that heat emissions will alter the microclimate—specifically reducing fog and humidity—leading to lower tea yields and quality, potentially damaging the region's vital tea industry.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 13:45
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 14:01 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:32 (31 min after Collected)
Nantou County Government held a scoping meeting today for the second stage of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Nantou County Waste Treatment and Renewable Energy Center. Groups such as the Mingjian Township Anti-Incinerator Self-Help Group expressed concerns that heat emissions would affect the microclimate, altering rainfall and humidity, leading to reduced tea yields and lower quality.
Nantou County currently has no waste incinerator and relies on other counties for help, with an accumulated backlog of approximately 320,000 tons of trash. The county government plans to build the center in Xinmin Village, Mingjian Township. In March last year, the National Property Administration transferred 7.5 hectares of 'Specific Agricultural Area' state land to the county for this purpose, with subsequent applications for land use change required.
The county government had previously held three scoping meetings, and continued sessions yesterday and today. The meetings were attended by self-help groups, residents, and outsiders. From the start, opponents raised procedural objections, shouting that the meeting was invalid. Some participants even jumped onto tables or threw paper airplanes, creating a chaotic scene.
Chen Chiao-hua, convener of the Supervision of Governance Alliance, stated that Mingjian has little wind and decreasing rainy days. Installing an incinerator would significantly impact the local tea industry. For the tea area that relies on 'morning mist' for hydration, precious fog could dissipate early or fail to form due to trapped heat, reducing moisture and affecting tea quality.
Shih Chih-chung, head of the Anti-Incinerator Self-Help Group, said Mingjian supports a huge portion of Taiwan's hand-shaken beverage market. If an incinerator is built, local tea could be negatively labeled as being from an 'incinerator area,' affecting sales and prices. He questioned how losses would be evaluated and compensated.
Tea farmer Chen Pei-nuan said that low rainfall combined with dry heat from the incinerator would accelerate the aging and fibrosis of tea buds, causing a bitter taste and loss of aroma. Another farmer, Jan Hsiu-mei, worried that invisible dust and heavy metals could settle on tender tea buds, making people afraid to consume the tea.
Li Yi-shu, Director of the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau, said that previous meetings had discussed heat balance. The facility's chimney will have ventilation equipment to blow heat further away and cool the emissions before release. Impact on temperature and heat will be included in the assessment. He emphasized that lowering emission temperatures is technologically feasible.
Regarding concerns from neighboring townships, Li said the risk assessment area covers a 15-kilometer square, including parts of Changhua and Yunlin counties. He expressed confidence that emission control technologies would minimize the impact.
The meeting followed the principle that scoping is for 'discussion,' not 'review.' Results do not determine approval or rejection of the project, and discussions do not cover the necessity or integrity of the plan itself. Stakeholders can submit written opinions for the developer's consideration.
Nantou County currently has no waste incinerator and relies on other counties for help, with an accumulated backlog of approximately 320,000 tons of trash. The county government plans to build the center in Xinmin Village, Mingjian Township. In March last year, the National Property Administration transferred 7.5 hectares of 'Specific Agricultural Area' state land to the county for this purpose, with subsequent applications for land use change required.
The county government had previously held three scoping meetings, and continued sessions yesterday and today. The meetings were attended by self-help groups, residents, and outsiders. From the start, opponents raised procedural objections, shouting that the meeting was invalid. Some participants even jumped onto tables or threw paper airplanes, creating a chaotic scene.
Chen Chiao-hua, convener of the Supervision of Governance Alliance, stated that Mingjian has little wind and decreasing rainy days. Installing an incinerator would significantly impact the local tea industry. For the tea area that relies on 'morning mist' for hydration, precious fog could dissipate early or fail to form due to trapped heat, reducing moisture and affecting tea quality.
Shih Chih-chung, head of the Anti-Incinerator Self-Help Group, said Mingjian supports a huge portion of Taiwan's hand-shaken beverage market. If an incinerator is built, local tea could be negatively labeled as being from an 'incinerator area,' affecting sales and prices. He questioned how losses would be evaluated and compensated.
Tea farmer Chen Pei-nuan said that low rainfall combined with dry heat from the incinerator would accelerate the aging and fibrosis of tea buds, causing a bitter taste and loss of aroma. Another farmer, Jan Hsiu-mei, worried that invisible dust and heavy metals could settle on tender tea buds, making people afraid to consume the tea.
Li Yi-shu, Director of the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau, said that previous meetings had discussed heat balance. The facility's chimney will have ventilation equipment to blow heat further away and cool the emissions before release. Impact on temperature and heat will be included in the assessment. He emphasized that lowering emission temperatures is technologically feasible.
Regarding concerns from neighboring townships, Li said the risk assessment area covers a 15-kilometer square, including parts of Changhua and Yunlin counties. He expressed confidence that emission control technologies would minimize the impact.
The meeting followed the principle that scoping is for 'discussion,' not 'review.' Results do not determine approval or rejection of the project, and discussions do not cover the necessity or integrity of the plan itself. Stakeholders can submit written opinions for the developer's consideration.