Environmental groups on Monday called on the Cabinet not to appoint Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Minister Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬) as the new Minister of the Environment when the agency is upgraded to a ministry next month.
A petition calling on Chang to step down was presented at a news conference on Monday at the legislature hosted by New Power Party Legislator Chen Jiau-hua (陳椒華).
More than 50 environmental organizations have signed the petition since it was launched in 2020, Changhua Environmental Protection Union president Shy Yueh-ing (施月英) said, calling him the “most disdained” EPA minister.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Shy accused Chang of only allowing members of the public to speak for three minutes at hearings and banning recordings, depriving the public of their right to participate.
The EPA has also been abusing procedure to stifle public input in environmental impact assessments, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association chairman Chen Hsien-cheng (陳憲政) said, citing entrance restrictions and online-only hearings on a controversial fourth liquefied natural gas terminal in Keelung.
Chen Jiau-hua also raised concern that people allegedly accused of sexual harassment within the EPA might be promoted when the agency is upgraded to the Ministry of the Environment next month.
Chang said he has not yet received notice of any posting from the Executive Yuan and respects the criticism.
Regarding accusations of sexual harassment within the EPA, Chang said that administrative investigations would be launched into any rumors of misconduct, and handled according to Gender Equality Committee procedures if verified.
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