Cabinet can propose its own LNG referendum
By Chen Wen-ching 陳文卿
The date has been set for a referendum on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project near algal reefs on the coast of Datan Borough (大潭) in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音).
Although the Cabinet is willing to discuss the project and has adopted some suggestions offered by environmental groups, it is still rejected by other environmental groups.
Few people have a thorough understanding of the project’s ecological, environmental, energy and engineering implications, and rigorous thinking is needed to foresee the effects that either outcome passing or not passing the referendum would have.
Taiwan headline news
Taipei, May 5 (CNA) The lead stories in major Taiwan dailies on Wednesday are as follows:
@United Daily News: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Yilan ban visits to hospital inpatients from May 4
@China Times: Former EPA official Chan Shun-kuei supports revised LNG terminal project; divisions emerge among environmental groups
@Liberty Times: Cockroach attack aimed at NT$15 million debt owed by restaurant owner; 4 gang members arrested
@Apple Daily: Pilot contracts COVID-19 despite receiving one vaccine shot
@Economic Daily News: Taiex falls to below 17,000-point mark
@Commercial Times: Explosive day trading plunges Taiex
@Taipei Times: Visiting patients banned in three cities
Environmental groups split on new LNG plan
By Lee Hsin-fang, Chien Hui-ju and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writer
Environmental groups are split over an Executive Yuan proposal to move a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal an additional 455m from the coast of Datan Borough (大潭) in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) to reduce its impact on algal reefs.
The planned terminal has sparked an outcry from environmentalists, who fear that it would damage the algal reefs in the area. They have successfully petitioned for a referendum to block the project.
However, support for the referendum has wavered and environmental advocates are divided on the issue, Taiwan Citizen Participation Association director-general Ho Tsung-hsun (何宗勳) said.