In 2021, a group of legislators introduced a bill aimed at enhancing the certification and reporting process for modifications under the Air Environment Conservation Act . An updated bill has been proposed in February 2023. It seeks to clearly distinguish between “modification certification” and “modification report” and to impose penalties based on the gravity of any violations. The key aspects of the bill are as follows:
- Distinguishing between modification certification and modification report
- Classifying modification certification into two categories:
- Modification certification for significant matters prescribed by the Decree of MOE
- Modification certification for significant matter with no increase in emissions
- Defining “modification report for non-significant matter”
- Classifying modification certification into two categories:
- Reduced Penalties
- Eliminating the penalty surcharge and introducing an administrative fine for failing to submit a modification report
- Abolishing criminal punishment for failure of modification certification concerning a significant matter that does not result in increased emissions
