A petition that aims to protect an algal reef in northern Taiwan has received over 700,000 signatures, something supporters say is a milestone.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Rescue Datan's Algal Reefs Alliance said that it has already sent the petition with the number of signatures required for a referendum to the Central Election Commission.
Alliance convener Pan Chong-cheng urged the government to consider finding an alternative to its plan to build a liquefied natural gas receiving station near the reef. A referendum on moving the station site will be held in late August.
Another environmental group, the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, says supporters of the referendum have made it clear that they want to protect the algal reef and cut CO2 emissions.
Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government’s stance on the issue is “in line with the environmentalist groups.” She said the receiving station project is not going to affect the algal reef, adding that it is a key piece of infrastructure that is crucial to reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the use of liquefied natural gas.