Air Pollution Control Act Amendments Move to Second Reading; Industry Groups Call for Status Quo

Following the Legislative Yuan's decision to move the Air Pollution Control Act amendment bill—proposed by the KMT and TPP—to a second reading, the Federation of Industrial Parks and the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI) reiterated their opposition. They warned that the amendments could severely impact industrial operations and energy supply, urging the government to maintain the current system and enhance communication with the industry. The Ministry of Economic Affairs expressed regret, noting that at a time when AI-driven electricity demand is surging, restricting energy supply resilience could threaten the stability of approximately 8,000 enterprises. CNFI Secretary-General Lu Cheng-hua emphasized that the industry's stance remains unchanged since their April statement, arguing that rash amendments would increase operational uncertainty. The groups specifically criticized proposed changes to Article 27, which could expand local government discretion, and Article 30, which could shorten permit durations, potentially leading to administrative burdens and operational risks.