Taipei: Opposition lawmakers on Friday fast-tracked two bills that would expand local governments' authority over industrial air pollution, despite warnings from government agencies and business groups that the changes could affect energy supplies and economic activity. The amendment bills "could broadly affect power supply stability and the economy," the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said in a news release, urging lawmakers not to ignore concerns raised by the ministry and other stakeholders. According to Focus Taiwan, at Friday's plenary session, the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) used their majority to pull the Air Pollution Control Act amendments from committee review and send them to a floor vote if no consensus is reached within a month. The ministry said it "deeply regretted" the rush to review the law, warning it could disrupt operations at about 8,000 companies, citing proposed changes to installation and operating permit rules for stationary pollution sources. Under the bil ls, introduced by TPP Legislator and KMT Legislator Lo Ting-wei, permit validity would be cut to two to five years, or two years in heavily polluted Class III zones, from the current three to five years. The bills also add a provision invalidating permits if holders fail to secure approval from local or central agencies within two months, a requirement not in current law. The ministry warned the changes could suspend operations if permits are not approved and raise administrative costs, hurting economic development. Taiwan has about 8,000 companies holding 13,000 permits across the power, solar, petrochemical, cement, and steel sectors, as well as boilers, which account for 60 percent of all permits, the Ministry of Environment said. Boilers in hospitals, hotels, and restaurants could be affected if the bills pass, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming was quoted as saying in April. Additionally, the MOEA called "controversial" provisions proposed to allow local governments to restrict certain fuels and requir e businesses to adjust emissions volume and concentration. Chinese National Federation of Industries Secretary-General Leua Jang-hwa stated that the amendments would hit energy supply and industrial operations while adding uncertainty for businesses. The KMT's Lo, who is from Taichung, home to the heavily polluting Taichung Power Plant, was quoted by local media as saying that the bills were meant to give local governments "tools" to regulate air pollution. Lo said the amendments would be a first step toward phasing out coal at Taichung Power Plant by 2028 as gas-fired capacity expands, referring to a goal in an opposition-backed resolution the Legislature passed last June that the government opposed. In contrast to government officials and business groups, environmental NGOs, particularly in Taichung, have expressed support for the amendments. At an April press conference, several NGO representatives criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over the 2018 amendments that remain in force as t he current legislation, passed when it held a legislative majority. The 2018 Air Pollution Control Act amendments weakened local authority over coal regulation and expanded central control, Yeh Guang-perng, a founder of Air Clean Taiwan, formed by a group of healthcare professionals, said at that time. Activists said the opposition's amendments would restore local governments' authority, noting they are more familiar with local conditions and residents' needs. They also argued that the changes would not necessarily harm industry but could offer a chance to promote upgrading and cleaner production.