EPA Chief Wants Higher Utility Prices

The Taipei Times today published an interview with the chief of the Environmental Protection Administration, Winston Dang. It seems he has read and agrees with the recent TAIWAN BUSINESS TOPICS article on water and electricity pricing:

"Many of the nation's politicians lack vision in terms of environmental policies -- a fearless politician should go ahead and say, `I'm going to charge more for water and electricity from now on,'" he said. "When water and electricity are too cheap, no businesses would be willing to invest in water treatment, seawater desalinization facilities or renewable energy technologies. Users of water and electricity would also not realize the extent of the world's shortage."

Dang also mentions nuclear power (he doubts it can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions), renewable energy, river cleanups, and the Suhua Freeway project (for arguments in favor of the road, click here; for arguments against, click here).

The list of things he doesn't mention is very long: Public transportation vs. car usage; green buildings; household recycling and garbage incineration...

He may, of course, be out of a job very soon, depending who wins the imminent presidential election.