Does Kitchen Meat-Frying Cause Smog? Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming's "Cooking Pollution" Remarks Spark Nationwide Anger, Shielding Inadequate Energy Mix

On November 13, 2024, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming faced intense questioning in the Legislative Yuan from opposition lawmakers regarding the DPP government's "Nuclear-Free Homeland" policy, which has led to an excessively high share of thermal power generation, producing massive PM2.5 and severe air pollution across Taiwan. In response, Peng openly urged the public to "talk less about generating power with our lungs." More shockingly, he claimed that "frying meat and household cooking are also major sources of PM2.5," attempt to blame the severe air pollution crisis on the daily cooking habits of ordinary citizens. His remarks immediately triggered overwhelming public outrage, with critics condemning the Ministry of Environment for failing to supervise and prevent industrial and power plant emissions while instead blaming the victims and ordinary households. Lawmakers blasted Peng for losing his scientific objectivity and becoming a political mouthpiece to shield the administration's failing energy policies, making this case a prominent example of bureaucratic evasion under the current administration.