Integrity of the EPA review group under the spotlight again

The Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) Environmental Review Committee (ERC) has once again come under the spotlight. It is alleged that members colluded with construction companies to approve proposals.

The appointment of the seventh committee in mid 2007 was controversial with all five true environmentalists that served on the sixth committee being replaced by, what many perceived to be, pro-development academics and experts who will likely do the government's bidding on controversial projects.

Six of the 11 ERC members responsible for reviewing the construction proposal for the Heping coal-burning power plant in Hualien County have been accused of taking cash to approve the project.

See the Taipei Times for the story.

Also see: The seventh Environmental Impact Assessment Committee of Great Concern to Environmentalists