Nation's first incinerator air quality clean zone: Chiayi County regulation unveiled

Recently, as air pollution has become increasingly severe, the Chiayi County Government, in order to strengthen air pollution control, unveiled the air quality clean zone notice board outside the Lucao Incinerator on December 26 in the presence of County Magistrate Zhang Huaguan and environmentalists. The Lucao Incinerator air quality clean zone will begin full regulation, representing another upgrade in Chiayi County's environmental quality.

The Chiayi County Government announced the "Chiayi County Lucao Incinerator Air Quality Clean Zone Diesel Vehicle Control Measures" starting September 21. After a 3-month public awareness period, the Lucao Incinerator will become, after Alishan and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, the 3rd air quality clean zone in Chiayi County to be officially announced and regulated. Starting in January next year, diesel vehicles without a Phase 5 standard inspection-approved access permit will not be allowed to enter the Lucao Incinerator area. The Environmental Protection Bureau estimates that fine suspended particles (PM2.5) can be reduced by up to 5.8 metric tons per year.

"Prevention is better than treatment; solving the problem at the source is the fundamental way," said County Magistrate Zhang Huaguan. She stated that Chiayi County has done its homework thoroughly on strengthening air pollution control. After the nation's first Alishan air quality clean zone, there is now another national first: an incinerator air quality clean zone. In the future, more air quality clean zones will be established to protect public health and jointly preserve this beautiful pure land of Chiayi County.

Environmental Protection Bureau Director Yan Xuming stated that Chiayi County is also promoting subsidies for scrapping old large diesel vehicles, with amounts varying according to vehicle age and weight, ranging from 50,000 to 400,000 yuan. For Phase 3 large diesel vehicles equipped with particulate filters, subsidies range from about 70,000 to 150,000 yuan. The Environmental Protection Bureau will strictly maintain air quality to ensure public health.