Nantou Incinerator EIA Controversy; Premier Cho Jung-tai Says 'Review Needed'

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 26. TPP Legislator Chen Chao-tzu questioned the Nantou incinerator project today, arguing that the county government acting as both the developer and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulator constitutes a conflict of interest. Premier Cho Jung-tai responded that if there are issues with the EIA process, they should be reviewed. Nantou County lacks an incinerator and relies on other counties, with about 310,000 tons of garbage accumulated. The county government plans to build a 'Nantou County Waste Treatment and Renewable Energy Center' in Minjian Township. The National Property Administration transferred 7.5 hectares of 'specific agricultural zone' land to the county government last March, and the county must apply to the Ministry of Agriculture for land use change. This has sparked backlash from local self-help groups. The Nantou County government recently held a second-stage EIA scoping meeting. Chen pointed out in the Legislative Yuan today that many procedural issues occurred. Without discussing alternatives, the developer's representative, Nantou Environmental Protection Bureau Director Li Yi-shu, directed the meeting chair and set the afternoon agenda. Chen questioned how the public can trust the independence and fairness of the EIA when the local government acts as both player and referee, with the chair and police being 'their own people.' She asked Premier Cho if he would commit to preventing local EPBs from acting as both player and referee, suggesting the Ministry of Environment should act as a third-party reviewer. Cho replied that there is a division of labor between central and local governments, and some tasks must be handled at the local level. He added that the EIA process has been in place for years, and if problems arise, they should be reviewed. Regarding the specific agricultural zone, the Ministry of Agriculture will clarify its stance. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming stated that under the 'Environmental Impact Assessment Act,' such cases are indeed reviewed locally, but he will monitor this incident and consider legislative amendments to 'take back' the review power if future illegalities occur. Relevant opinions have been forwarded to the Nantou County government. (Edited by Hsieh Chia-chen)