Environmental review for the controversial Kuokuang petrochemical plant project was resumed shortly after the elections, with as many as three preliminary review meetings scheduled this month alone, which angered environmental activists and residents near the proposed plant site, who suspect that the government is trying to rush the review process for economic benefits, and they staged a protest outside the EPA on Friday.

Less than a week has passed since the municipal elections, and Yunlin and Changhua residents are up in arms over the Environmental Protection Administration's scheduling of three Kuo Kuang Petrochemical environmental assessment reviews in December.

The residents believe that the government is determined to approve Kuo Kuang's development project, and staged a protest outside the EPA on Friday.

One expert produced data and statistics to show that many disputes remain in the areas of health risks, economic benefits, and environmental impact.

If Kuo Kuang receives a green light from the review sub-committees, the project will then be submitted to the general environmental committee.

However, environmental protection groups and Changhua and Yunlin residents say that the sub-committees need to get their facts straight before they approve the project.

DPP lawmakers are also calling for an executive hearing before the project moves forward.

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