[Changes from the Second Half of the Year] Preventing the 'Second Gangneung Pension Accident'... Mandatory Installation of Boiler Carbon Monoxide Detectors

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] From the second half of the year, it will be mandatory to install carbon monoxide alarms when installing boilers. Regulations on permits for new and renewable energy electricity projects such as solar power will be eased.

The government published "Changes from the second half of 2020" on the 29th, summarizing the systems and legal matters that will change from the second half of this year.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy established a legal basis to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning accidents like the 2018 Gangneung pension incident.

The "Safety Management and Business Act of Liquefied Petroleum Gas," promulgated on February 4, will be enforced from August 5.

From now on, lodging facilities and general residences that newly install gas boilers (city gas, LP gas) must install CO alarms together at the time of purchase.

Currently, lodging facilities using gas boilers must separately install CO alarms within one year of the law's enforcement.

A solar power plant site in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do. (Photo by Moon Chae-seok)

Side effects of new and renewable energy dissemination will be reduced. This is to implement the core energy policy "Renewable Energy 3020" (solving 20% of electricity with new and renewable energy by 2030).

From October 1, amendments to the "Electricity Business Act and subordinate statutes" will be enforced.

Prior notification of power generation projects such as solar power will be mandatory to secure residents' acceptance.

Also, a legal basis was created to mitigate side effects such as strengthening safety management of solar and wind power facilities installed in mountainous areas.

A government official said, "We will continue to strive to ensure that policies tailored to changes in our society are better communicated to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.